Chunghwa may need to change bands for ST-2 satellite

Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom could be required to the change frequencies it is using for its ST-2 satellite in order to accommodate the use of 5G on the 3.4-GHz to 3.6-GHz frequency range.

Taiwanese regulator NCC plans to conduct experiments to see if the operator’s satellite system can coexist with 5G servicesv.

If it is found that there are potential interference problems, the regulator may order Chunghwa Telecom to use different frequencies for its satellite service, which is used by a number of TV channels to transmit broadcast signals.

The NCC believes that the order would not cause much disruption as it would affect only one transponder of the satellite system.

The ST-2 contains 10 transponders in the frequency band in question – the C-band in satellite parlance, which uses 3.7-GHz to 4.2-GHz spectrum for downlink and 5.9-GHz to 6.4-GHz for uplink. It also has 41 transponders in the 12-GHz/14-GHz Ku-band.

The report adds that the NCC may offer compensation to Chunghwa Telecom to cover the costs of the spectrum relocation.

Meanwhile the Taiwanese government is expected to make its final decision over the use of spectrum in the 3.4-GHz to 3.6-GHz range for 5G by June, while the NCC has established a taskforce to draw up the rules for a 5G auction.