Two US senators, from each side of the aisle, have written to the FCC’s chairman Ajit Pai asking that it exercises caution as to how the proposed C-band restructuring is handled.

The letters came from Jerry Moran (R-Kansas.) and Tom Udall (D-New Mexico).

“As part of its proceeding, the FCC must consider whether sufficient spectrum will remain available to accommodate today’s C-band services, whether other transmission capacity could provide an equally reliable, available, affordable and resilient alternative, whether new uses of the band could result in harmful interference to existing services, and how to reimburse C-band earth station operators for costs incurred.”

The C-Band Alliance has already stated unequivocally that they will fund the costs of the reallocation and also move existing clients to other suitable frequencies.

However, the senatorial letters received support from the National Association of Broadcasters, and others. They wrote: “NAB, NCTA, American Cable Association and National Public Radio thank Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Tom Udall (D-NM) for their leadership on this critical issue of spectrum management, recognising the importance of protecting existing C-band users as Congress and the FCC consider changes to the C-band,” said in a joint statement.

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