WRC Proposal Could Pave Way for Increased Unmanned Aircraft Use
The FCC recently sought comment on proposals to enable more flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a technology that could add to satellite capacity demand in coming years. The vehicles have grown increasingly common in the Middle East as wars in Iraq and Afghanistan progressed but are largely unused for civil operations, something that could change once a regulatory framework is in place. UAVs rely heavily on satellite and terrestrial communications, and some changes to spectrum allocations are likely required to ensure safety. The recommendations come from the advisory committee to the World Radiocommunication Conference of 2012 and have several steps to go before allowing for widespread use, satellite executives said.
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The recommendations would add a footnote to the table of frequency allocations with the technical and regulatory provisions needed to allow for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The satellite links could “potentially be accommodated” through fixed-satellite services spectrum in the Ku- and Ka-bands, specifically the 11/12/14 GHz and 20/30 GHz allocations, the proposal said. The spectrum would enable “command and control,” essentially steering and situation awareness, for the aircraft. Spectrum needs from the aircraft to a satellite are generally much higher, since communications often include video, whereas spectrum going into the aircraft is made up largely of commands, said executives. The proposal also points to the possibility of adding new allocations within the 22.5-22.55 GHz and 23.55-23.6 GHz bands that would give that spectrum top priority. Those allocations will require further study before moving forward, the proposal said.
Separate from the FCC proceeding, NTIA will work with other agencies to come up with its own proposal. That agency is also looking for new spectrum to be used for UAS, said an industry executive. NTIA’s proposal must then be squared with the version from the advisory committee. Once they agree, the proposals will go to the State Department, which must give its approval before the rules are proposed at the WRC.
Unmanned vehicles have driven a huge demand for satellite capacity in the Middle East and could do the same if heavily used in other regions, say industry executives. While the proposals would move the process forward, several other regulators will have to give their approval before UAS become operational. The Federal Aviation Administration and the Defense Department, which have been and will be involved in the spectrum processes, would have to go through other processes to make UAVs operational.
"In terms of bandwidth, UAVs are to this marketplace what HD is to TV,” said Richard DalBello, Intelsat General vice president of legal and governmental affairs. Intelsat General sells capacity and managed services to the government and provides much of the current UAV bandwidth used in the Middle East. Government and military will likely continue to be the main driver in the market, he said.
The potential uses for the aircraft continue to grow, including border protection, resource and environmental monitoring, and, in the future, cargo planes, though there are several steps before there is wider use, DalBello said. The exact shape and scope of the market remain to be seen and the process is still in its infancy, said DalBello. Still, “we expect a rapid expansion in the deployment of UAVs globally,” he said. Satellites are expected to remain the primary means to communication with UAV beyond line of sight and for redundancies in some cases, he said.