U.S. FCC Upper C-band Spectrum Clearing
In the United States, earth station operations in the 4000–4160 MHz band in the Contiguous United States (“CONUS”) are being transitioned out of the band and will no longer be entitled to interference protection in the 4000–4160 MHz band in the future. [1]
As a C-band satellite operator in this band, Telesat GEO Inc. (“Telesat”) is responsible, subject to the exception that follows, to migrate “Incumbent Earth Stations”[2] in CONUS that are associated with Telesat’s satellites out of the 4000–4160 MHz band. The exception is if the Incumbent Earth Station operator elects to opt out of this formal relocation process, in which event the earth station operator will be responsible for its own migration out of the 4000–4160 MHz band in exchange for a lump sum payment, the amount of which is yet to be determined by the FCC. Either way, an incumbent earth station must transition out of the 4000–4160 MHz band at most locations by December 30, 2030, and at all locations by June 30, 2031.
Telesat stands ready to provide any necessary assistance in this migration process. Please contact Telesat immediately at spectrumregulatory@telesat.com with the subject line addressed as “U.S. Earth Station Submission” if you have (or believe that you may have) an Incumbent Earth Station in CONUS that: (A) receives signals from a Telesat satellite; (B) even if it no longer receives signals from a Telesat satellite, has an antenna pointed at a Telesat satellite; or (C) you believe for any other reason is or may be associated with a Telesat satellite (collectively, a “Candidate Earth Station”).
Please include with your response the best contact information for further correspondence, including name, email address and phone number, plus the following information for each Candidate Earth Station:
a. FCC Licensee Name;
b. FCC Registration/License File Number;
c. FCC Call Sign;
d. FCC Site ID; and
e. FCC antenna identifier if Site ID has multiple antennas.
That said, if for any reason you do not have such information readily available, please do not let that delay contacting Telesat for assistance.
[1] Upper C-band (3.98-4.2 GHz), Expanding Flexible Use of the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz Band, Report and Order, Order of Proposed Modification, and Order on Reconsideration, FCC 26-46 (rel. Jul. 24, 2026) (the “Upper C-band R&O”).
[2] In Section 27.1411(b)(3) of the rules that were announced in the Upper C-band R&O, the FCC defines an “Incumbent Earth Station Operator” as “an earth station that is entitled to interference protection pursuant to § 25.138(c)….” Section 25.138(c) of the rules announced in that R&O states:
“Fixed and temporary fixed earth stations operating in the 3.7–4.16 GHz portion of the band within CONUS will be protected from interference by licensees in the 3.7 GHz Service subject to the deadlines set forth in § 27.1412 of this chapter and are eligible for transition so long as they: (1) Were operational as of April 19, 2018 and continue to be operational; (2) Were licensed or registered (or had a pending application for license or registration) in the IBFS (now ICFS) database on November 7, 2018; and (3) Timely certified the accuracy of the information on file with the Commission by May 28, 2019.”