News event media coverage (sports, festivals, etc.) may use temporary satellite video links.
National regulations define such temporary use as follows:
- the duration of the connections at a single location must be less than two months;
- and the duration of broadcasts during that period must be less than fifteen consecutive days.
These video news links involve a satellite communicating with one or more earth stations known as SNGs (satellite news gathering), to route the video reports to the broadcasting studios.
The Ku band in particular is used by the SNG stations:
- frequencies (10.7-11.7 GHz and 12.5-12.75 GHz) are thus used to receive signals sent by the satellite to these stations;
- other frequencies (14-14.5 GHz) are used to transmit signals from the stations to the target satellite.
As shown in the figure below, some parts of these frequencies are also used for microwave radio links authorised by the ARCEP on French territory, with which SNG stations are then in a sharing situation.
The terms and conditions for the use of Ku-band frequencies by SNG stations are set out in ARCEP Decision 2006-0445 of 13 April 2006 .
For the reception of signals by SNG stations, the use of the 10.7-11.7 GHz and 12.5-12.75 GHz bands is not subject to individual authorisation, subject to compliance with the technical conditions set out in the above Decision 2006-0445.
Depending on the frequency band and geographical area concerned, the use of frequencies by SNG stations may require individual authorisation from the ARCEP.
| FREQUENCIES | GEOGRAPHICAL AREA | AUTHORISATION METHOD | ||
| A | 14,00-14,25 GHz | Toute France | General authorisation | |
| B | 14,25-14,5 GHz | Within pre-coordinated sites | General authorisation | |
| C | 14,25-14,5 GHz | Outside pre-coordinated sites | Individual user authorisation |
Case A and case B
No individual authorisation is required, subject to compliance with the technical conditions set out in the above Decision 2006-0445.
Pre-coordinated sites are sites regularly used by SNG stations and include stadiums, racecourses, etc.
Case C
The use of the 14.25-14.50 GHz frequencies by SNG stations outside pre-coordinated sites is subject to prior authorisation granted by ARCEP decision to the individual user following their application.
Such authorisations are granted for a maximum of two months.
The holder of an authorisation to use frequencies assigned individually by decision of the ARCEP is subject to the payment of a state fee for the availability of the frequencies and a management fee, the amounts of which are determined in accordance with the provisions of decree no. 2007-1532 of 24 October 2007 , as amended, and its implementing order of 24 October 2007, as amended.