2026-08-08, 19:04:29
This is V_3___, Official Bulletin Station for Radio Amateurs of Canada with this week's bulletin.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. FCC approves sweeping space reforms while clearing more C-band for 5G.
The Federal Communications Commission voted July 22 to push satellite operators
out of more C-band spectrum for a 5G auction next year, while approving a
licensing overhaul aimed at accelerating the commercial space economy.
The upper C-band order sets up a July 2027 auction of 160 megahertz in the
3.98-4.14 gigahertz band, following a sale of 280 MHz of lower C-band in 2020 that
generated more than $80 billion from telcos such as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.
Clearing lower and upper C-band frequencies would create a 440 MHz super band for
terrestrial wireless networks, the FCC said, with services slated to begin in the
top 75 U.S. markets as early as December 2030.
C-band incumbents - mainly Europe’s SES and Eutelsat, which use the frequencies
to distribute TV services in the United States, will need to relocate to the
remaining 40 MHz of upper C-band or other spectrum such as Ku-band.
-- spacenews.com
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. TEN-YEAR-OLD YL CELEBRATES CQ DX MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIP
A 10-year-old girl in Indonesia, who received her amateur radio license in July
of 2024, has been declared the World Youth Champion among operators 14 and younger
who participated in the CQ DX Marathon Program.
Nahla, who is 10 years old, is being recognised for her achievements throughout
2025, in which she worked the most DXCC entities and CQ Zones during the 12-month
period. She will receive a Youth Winner plaque, which is being sponsored by Ann,
WA1S of the Young Ladies Radio League.
This award to an especially young operator is one of numerous awards conferred
during this annual operating event. The committee said that it hoped Nahla's
accomplishment would inspire other youngsters.
-- Jason Daniels VK2LAW (via amateur radio newsline)
3. AMAZON EYES SATELLITE SERVICE FOR SMARTPHONES
Amazon has become the latest company hoping to join the field of providers offering
direct-to-device smartphone services.
Using a constellation of more than 5,000 low-earth orbit satellites, Amazon is
looking to provide global mobile network services, delivering direct-to-device
connection via the Globalstar spectrum. The company has filed an application with
the FCC, seeking approval for use of spectrum bands at 1.6 GHz and 2.4 GHz for
mobile phones and the Internet of Things devices. Satellite tracking, control and
telemetry, as well as links to gateways, would be provided via the spectrum.
The filing on July 24th was made on behalf of what is called the Amazon Leo D2D
System and has a primary purpose of filling in gaps in areas where terrestrial
coverage does not exist.
In a deal announced in April and expected to close in 2027, Amazon will be acquiring
Globalstar for $11 billion.
In the US, the UK and Europe, increasing numbers of providers are rolling out
direct-to-device capability. Carriers currently covering the US include Verizon
and T-Mobile.
-- Kent Peterson KCØDGY (via amateur radio newsline)
(SPACENEWS.COM, AMAZON, CNET)
4. GOVERNMENT GRANTS ACCESS FOR TOKELAU DXPEDITION
The DXpedition to Tokelau has been given access to the island territory this November
from the government.
The Tokelau DXpedition team has received the necessary written permission to bring the
team to the New Zealand island territory in November. The Perseverance DX Group and the
Western Washington DX Club made the announcement in late July, saying that plans are
going forward for the 14-day activation on the atoll, where the operators will be on
the HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8 in fox/hound mode. This will be the first
DXpedition to Tokelau since the ZK3A activation in 2019.
Organisers said that they are now coordinating with the government to handle the
logistics for sleep and meal accommodation as well as their operating location.
A callsign has not yet been announced. Tokelau is about 480 kilometres, or 300 miles,
north of Samoa.
-- Jim Meachen ZL2BHF (TOKELAU DXPEDITION TEAM)
This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or
clarifications?
Hearing none, This is V_3___ returning the frequency to net control.
Bulletin sent from Official Bulletin Manager VA3PC
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. FCC approves sweeping space reforms while clearing more C-band for 5G.
The Federal Communications Commission voted July 22 to push satellite operators
out of more C-band spectrum for a 5G auction next year, while approving a
licensing overhaul aimed at accelerating the commercial space economy.
The upper C-band order sets up a July 2027 auction of 160 megahertz in the
3.98-4.14 gigahertz band, following a sale of 280 MHz of lower C-band in 2020 that
generated more than $80 billion from telcos such as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.
Clearing lower and upper C-band frequencies would create a 440 MHz super band for
terrestrial wireless networks, the FCC said, with services slated to begin in the
top 75 U.S. markets as early as December 2030.
C-band incumbents - mainly Europe’s SES and Eutelsat, which use the frequencies
to distribute TV services in the United States, will need to relocate to the
remaining 40 MHz of upper C-band or other spectrum such as Ku-band.
-- spacenews.com
ONTARIO SECTION NEWS
ITEMS OF INTEREST
2. TEN-YEAR-OLD YL CELEBRATES CQ DX MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIP
A 10-year-old girl in Indonesia, who received her amateur radio license in July
of 2024, has been declared the World Youth Champion among operators 14 and younger
who participated in the CQ DX Marathon Program.
Nahla, who is 10 years old, is being recognised for her achievements throughout
2025, in which she worked the most DXCC entities and CQ Zones during the 12-month
period. She will receive a Youth Winner plaque, which is being sponsored by Ann,
WA1S of the Young Ladies Radio League.
This award to an especially young operator is one of numerous awards conferred
during this annual operating event. The committee said that it hoped Nahla's
accomplishment would inspire other youngsters.
-- Jason Daniels VK2LAW (via amateur radio newsline)
3. AMAZON EYES SATELLITE SERVICE FOR SMARTPHONES
Amazon has become the latest company hoping to join the field of providers offering
direct-to-device smartphone services.
Using a constellation of more than 5,000 low-earth orbit satellites, Amazon is
looking to provide global mobile network services, delivering direct-to-device
connection via the Globalstar spectrum. The company has filed an application with
the FCC, seeking approval for use of spectrum bands at 1.6 GHz and 2.4 GHz for
mobile phones and the Internet of Things devices. Satellite tracking, control and
telemetry, as well as links to gateways, would be provided via the spectrum.
The filing on July 24th was made on behalf of what is called the Amazon Leo D2D
System and has a primary purpose of filling in gaps in areas where terrestrial
coverage does not exist.
In a deal announced in April and expected to close in 2027, Amazon will be acquiring
Globalstar for $11 billion.
In the US, the UK and Europe, increasing numbers of providers are rolling out
direct-to-device capability. Carriers currently covering the US include Verizon
and T-Mobile.
-- Kent Peterson KCØDGY (via amateur radio newsline)
(SPACENEWS.COM, AMAZON, CNET)
4. GOVERNMENT GRANTS ACCESS FOR TOKELAU DXPEDITION
The DXpedition to Tokelau has been given access to the island territory this November
from the government.
The Tokelau DXpedition team has received the necessary written permission to bring the
team to the New Zealand island territory in November. The Perseverance DX Group and the
Western Washington DX Club made the announcement in late July, saying that plans are
going forward for the 14-day activation on the atoll, where the operators will be on
the HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8 in fox/hound mode. This will be the first
DXpedition to Tokelau since the ZK3A activation in 2019.
Organisers said that they are now coordinating with the government to handle the
logistics for sleep and meal accommodation as well as their operating location.
A callsign has not yet been announced. Tokelau is about 480 kilometres, or 300 miles,
north of Samoa.
-- Jim Meachen ZL2BHF (TOKELAU DXPEDITION TEAM)
This concludes this week's bulletin. Does anyone require repeats or
clarifications?
Hearing none, This is V_3___ returning the frequency to net control.
Bulletin sent from Official Bulletin Manager VA3PC