Report: WiMAX poses interference threat to satellites

Field tests conducted by the Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group (SUIRG) concluded that WiMAX poses a "significant interference threat" to fixed satellite services (FSS) operating in the C band.

SUIRG, a non-profit association comprised of both private- and public-sector satellite organizations, said the primary objective of the tests was to measure interference levels generated by fixed WiMAX transmissions into an FSS satellite receiving station. Testing showed that WiMAX transmissions could cause interference to a satellite digital signal as far away as 12 kilometers. That led SUIRG to conclude that FSS antennas can't co-exist with WiMAX systems ranges from 50 kilometers to more than 200 kilometers, dependent on the local terrain and the WiMAX output levels.

"The C-band is in many ways the lifeline of the satellite industry, and protecting that spectrum from the threat of interference posed by sharing it with broadband wireless access services is of paramount importance," said Robert Ames, SUIRG president. "The tremendous support of the SUIRG member companies and the industry as a whole in making this test a viable platform to aid decision makers at WRC-07 was extremely gratifying. The results of the test are a firm testament to the need for clearly defined spectrum allocation."

To find out more about SUIRG's findings:
- read this article from TelecomWeb