Satellite : FCC Ready to Tackle Sat Radio/WCS Issues

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FCC Ready to Tackle Sat Radio/WCS Issues
At its open meeting Dec. 18, the Federal Communications Commission will take up a regulatory framework for the coexistence of satellite radio services and Wireless Communications Service (WCS) licensees operating in adjacent spectrum.

WCS licensees want to convert their spectrum into mobile services in bands immediately adjacent to spectrum utilized by satellite radio company Sirius XM. Some have fretted in the past that the WCS licensee proposals for mobile operations could interfere with the operation of satellite radios.

Also, in a tentative meeting agenda released Wednesday, the FCC said it will debate modifications to its program carriage rules and start a comment process on the practices of programmers and broadcasters. Also, commissioners could take up a proposal for digital TV translators in analog loss areas. And the FCC will detail notices of liability filed against various companies for apparent violations of the agency's digital TV consumer education requirements.