FCC: Wireless Services: Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service: MVDDS

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MVDDS

Licensing

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Related Sites

Antenna Information Office of Engineering and Technology

Construction/Coverage Requirements

EIA Electronic Industries Alliance

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

NSMA National Spectrum Managers Association

RF Safety Issues Office of Engineering and Technology

SBE Society of Broadcast Engineers

TIA Telecommunications Industry Association

ULS Universal Licensing System

Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service

Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service (MVDDS) provides consumers with TV programming and Internet connectivity from terrestrial transmitters, under exacting technical arrangements that permit it to share the spectrum with satellites (Direct Broadcast Satellites Service). MVDDS is licensed for market areas on the basis of MVDs. See PN DA 04-1717 (pdf).

Each licensee receives one spectrum block of 500 megahertz per geographic area that can be partitioned into any size channels. Disaggregation is not allowed.

MVDDS licensees may use spectrum in the 12.2 – 12.7 GHz band for any digital fixed non-broadcast service including one-way direct-to-home/office wireless service. Mobile and aeronautical services are not authorized.

Auctions

The FCC held Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service (MVDDS) auctions in January 2004 (Auction 53) and in December 2005 (Auction 63).

Construction/Coverage Requirements

The FCC requires most wireless telecommunications services licensees 1) to construct their authorized system or meet specific coverage requirements within a given time period and 2) to notify the Commission that the requirement has been met. This time period varies depending on the radio service in which the license is held.

More about Construction/Coverage Requirements...

Service At A Glance
Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service
Provides consumers with TV programming and Internet connectivity from terrestrial transmitters. The MVDDS band is shared with Direct Broadcast satellites. Licenses are auctioned on the basis of MVDs.
Established	2000
Service Rules	47 C.F.R., Parts 1, 101
Related Services
24 GHz Market Area 39 GHz Market Area 70-80-90 GHz Fixed Microwave Service Local Multipoint Distribution Service
Band Plan
Band(s)	12.2 – 12.7 GHz
Block Size	12.2 – 12.7 GHz(unpaired)
Market Areas	214 MVDs. See PN DA 04-1717 (pdf)
Licensing

System	ULS
ULS Radio Service Codes
DV
Auctions
#53: MVDDS 1/14/2004 - 1/27/2004
#63: MVDDS 12/7/2005 - 12/7/2005