Six satellite industry associations have established the Global Satellite Coalition (GSC), an international advocacy group whose mission is to secure new satellite spectrum and protect existing spectrum by promoting the value proposition of satellite services in the coming 5G era.
The GSC is backed by Abrasat (Brazil), APSCC (Asia Pacific), CASBAA (Asia Pacific), EMEA Satellite Operators Association (Europe, Middle East, Africa, CIS), Satellite Industry Association (USA) and the Global VSAT Forum.
The coalition aims to create a unified voice to drive industry priorities, and plans to coordinate and implement targeted initiatives to unlock opportunities for industry growth and protect millions of stakeholders who depend on satellite-based solutions. The GSC says its ultimate objective is to secure an ecosystem that allows every world citizen to be connected.
“Following the success of satellite industry collaboration for WRC15, the GSC presents a natural next step to further strengthen the satellite communications sector,” said David Hartshorn, GVF Secretary General.
Responding to the rapid pace of change in the digital world and huge demands for connectivity, the GSC says it wants to foster awareness and understanding of game-changing satellite industry innovations and their implications for spectrum and regulatory policymaking and market development.
The GSC’s priority is to advocate the role of satellite in achieving complete connectivity from contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Broadband Commission’s connectivity objectives to realizing the ‘Network of Networks’ required for 5G. In addition, it will work on ensuring satellite services are an essential element of national broadband strategies, universal service programs and disaster preparedness efforts.
The formation of the GSC comes as the satellite sector finds its existing spectrum being co-opted by mobile operators, including the 3.5-GHz band which is used by many satellite operators for extended C-band services but which has also emerged as a key band for 5G services. The satellite industry and mobile industry have been arguing for years whether or not the bands can be shared without causing interference problems.
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