The State Commission for Radio Frequencies (SCRF) has rejected MTS's application for the allocation of frequencies for testing satellite Internet technology that could work directly with smartphones. The operator planned to explore the 1980–2010 MHz (Earth-to-space) and 2170–2200 MHz (space-to-Earth) bands in the Tomsk Region to test the direct connection between a satellite and a mobile device, as well as between a base station and a satellite.
If these technologies are combined with existing communication standards, a hybrid network for mobile devices can be created. If terrestrial communication is unavailable, a smartphone or tablet can automatically switch to satellite communication.
Electromagnetic compatibility expertise showed that the use of the requested frequencies could create interference for the equipment of the Ministry of Defense and Roscosmos. The SCRF's refusal will slow down testing, but does not close the way to the development of hybrid networks in Russia. If MTS adjusts the request, experiments may resume. The success of such technologies would open access to the Internet in remote areas where traditional coverage is unreliable.
Read more on the topic:
"Space Weather News": flight tests of the Ionosphere-M satellites completed
Roscosmos and China will build a power plant on the Moon: Putin and Xi Jinping signed a memorandum
