CBA answers complaints from Disney, CBS, Discovery
May 16, 2019
By Chris Forrester
Major US broadcasters including CBS, Discovery, Disney, Fox, Univision and Viacom, have written to the FCC following up meetings they had regarding the C-Band Alliance’s (CBA) scheme to sell off 180 MHz of C-band satellite capacity. They are concerned that their long-established satellite feeds will be impacted by the proposals.
They are asking for assurances that any alterations to their current signals will be free from cellular interference and that there’s sufficient new C-band spectrum to ensure continuous supply of signals, and that there’s FCC oversight and protection of their video downlinks.
The CBA states that it has been serving American interests with reliable satellite services for four decades. “We continue to do so by putting forth the only proposal that frees the spectrum needed to deploy 5G services in the US, which will generate enormous economic growth. Importantly, our proposal clears this spectrum in 18-36 months – all while protecting vital television and radio programming that are enjoyed by Americans every day. The immense economic benefits of the swift deployment of 5G across the US creates the opportunity for the US to address other technology concerns, including the rural broadband gap.”