Factors Affecting the Choice of Frequency Band for DBS Systems in the United States

The prospective operator of a system intended primarily for broadcasting directly to homes in the United States (as opposed to distributing programming to CATV head ends or terrestrial broadcasting stations) must choose between two frequency bands: 12.2-12.7 GHz and 11.7-12.2 GHz. The first of these bands is allocated to the broadcasting-satellite service (BSS) with the assignment of frequencies, orbital positions, sense of polarization, and maximum radiated power to service areas governed by an international plan. The other band is allocated to the fixed-satellite service (FSS), but with a footnote permitting use of transponders already authorized in the FSS to be used for BSS transmissions under certain constraints on maximum radiated power and mutual interference. This paper examines the differences between the two frequency bands in terms of their impact on a number of factors of practical interest to a DBS system operator.