Space X seeks go-ahead for Starlink satellite earth station in Mayo
An application by Starlink for wireless telegraphy satellite earth station at a site in Killala is under consideration by Com Reg Ireland, the independent commission for communications regulations.
The application was submitted on March 19 last and the consultation period closes on June 25 next.
Starlink is owned and operated by SpaceX, of which Elon Musk is the CEO.
The facility, if granted, would consist of non-geostationary orbit (“NGSO”) satellite systems delivering broadband services from space using a constellation of satellites, usually in a low or medium earth orbit.
The licence being sought is to allow operations within the 18 GHz2 and 28 GHz3 frequency in Killala.
The user terminals operate on licence-exempt basis in-line with ComReg regulations.
The SES licence will allow Starlink to operate an SES in Ireland to connect to its NGSO system to enhance the connectivity capabilities and capacity for Starlink users.
Starlink already provides satellite broadband services direct to consumers in Ireland and currently operates an existing SES for its NGSO constellation at Garrettstown, Co. Cork.
An information notice has been posted to make interested parties aware in the event they wish to make a submission in relation to the application, particularly with regard to coexistence with other licensed networks and services.
When assessing applications for new licences, ComReg said it must consider whether the proposed deployments are capable of coexisting with existing users (in those bands where they have a co-primary allocation with another service), such that they are capable of providing services to their users without experiencing harmful interference.
In that regard, Starlink states in its application that it “confirms that the Killala gateway will not cause harmful interference into any cofrequency Earth Stations."
The statement continued:"Furthermore, SpaceX confirms that our system is technically capable of complying with the limits in ITU Article 21 / Article 22 and will adhere to these limits.
"SpaceX has been sharing spectrum and coexisting with other NGSO and GSO satellite operators globally for several years now without any reports of harmful interference.
"SpaceX also normally does not require a standard geographic separation between its gateway earth stations and those of other NGSO systems operating at the same frequencies.
"Instead, coordination discussions will ensure efficient use of spectrum based on technical analyses.
"SpaceX has a demonstrated track record of working directly with both GSO and NGSO operators to coordinate and coexist and will continue to do so with both current and future operators.
"Moreover, SpaceX has been successful in coordination with several NGSOs already, while good faith efforts pursuant to Article 9 of the ITU Radio Regulations are on-going with others.
"Based on the above, SpaceX expects that there will be no harm to current and future NGSO systems, and does not perceive or foresee any competitive disadvantages to other NGSO operators.”
The Connaught Telegraph has been made aware that the application may be a cause of concern for a prominent Mayo community organisation.
The application has also been brought to the attention of Mayo's Oireachtas members.
The consultation period ends on June 25 at 5 p.m.