The Promise of UHF Satellites for Mobile, Broadcast, and Low-Cost Services and Related New Communications Allocations, Operations, and Policies

Proposals for new policy and regulation approaches that would contribute to the efficient and economical utilization of the UHF spectrum. A new allocation scheme for space services above 450 MHz is suggested that would accommodate the needs of the proposed UHF satellites, and exploit those portions of the remainder of the spectrum that are amenable to intensive sharing by terrestrial and satellite services. The available spectrum can be doubled by two-way independent (up and down) polarization and by placing satellite up-links at much higher frequencies unsuitable for down-links. The government should provide and manage the transmission medium and sell broadcast time to program producers who may use it for pay, free, or subsidized TV. A choice of best-quality TV channels between 710 and 1215 MHz would be available at less producer cost than at present and at less consumer cost than CATV. Ground networks to facilitate the "wired city" of the future will also be needed to permit the satellite relay service to be used for vehicles and remote areas. Service could begin as early as 1975. (See also RM-5785.)