1524 MHz – Frequency Band & Applications

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Frequency
1524 MHz
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Range
1525–1559 MHz
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Band Group
L‑Band (1–2 GHz)

🌐 Summary

The 1524 MHz allocation is part of the L‑Band (1–2 GHz) spectrum. This range is used worldwide for critical applications that keep our communications and infrastructure running smoothly. On this page we highlight how each band is applied in real systems, from regulatory assignments to everyday devices. Our goal is to make spectrum data clear and practical for engineers, regulators, and enthusiasts alike.

Key uses of this band include: 1524 MHz lies within the L‑band MSS downlink block (1525–1559 MHz). It supports satellite services to user terminals and must strictly protect RNSS above 1559 MHz..

1518 MHz – 1559 MHz Mobile‑Satellite Downlink (Mobitex)
1518 MHz – 1559 MHz Mobile‑Satellite Downlink Overview

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📡 Band & Geometry key

Field Value
Wavelength (m) 0.19685
Waveforms
Antenna Form Factor (Typical)
Band Family Low to moderate interference; RNSS protection required >1559 MHz
Band L-Band
Primary Common Name Mobile‑Satellite Downlink (MSS DL)
FSPL @ 1 km [dB] 96.1
FSPL @ 10 km [dB] 116.1
Fresnel Radius @ 1 km (m) 7.02
Band Group L‑Band (1–2 GHz)
Tax Band Family L‑Band
Tax Band Class 1518 MHz – 1559 MHz Mobile‑Satellite Downlink

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🧩 Applications & Usage

Field Value
Primary Application Mobile‑Satellite Service (MSS) downlink reception
Lower Neighbor Use LTE/NR SDL; coordination at 1518–1525 edge
Upper Neighbor Use GNSS — strict protection
Typical Services Devices
Market Common Devices Satellite phones, IoT terminals, aircraft and shipborne antennas
Refarming Use Not typical (dedicated satellite band)
Device Ecosystem Size Global (satphones, IoT, maritime/aviation terminals)
Device Hotspots (MHz) 1525–1555 MHz
Device Category
Typical Use Cases
Modulation (Device)
Channel Width (Device) [kHz]
Device Region Profiles Global MSS coverage; uniform device ecosystem across regions
Per-Region EIRP Or Duty (Device)
Allocation Relevance (Device)
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device)
Example Devices Or Skus Inmarsat IsatPhone; Iridium GO!; Thuraya XT‑PRO
Common Protocols ETSI EN 301 681; ITU‑R M.1183 (MSS systems)

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🗒️ Notes

Field Value
Receiver Selectivity Notes ≥60–80 dB rejection into 1559–1610 RNSS band
Interference Notes
Compatibility Risk Notes
Notes
Propagation Notes

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⚙️ Technical Rules

Field Value
Lower Band Frequency Limit 1525
Upper Band Frequency Limit 1559
EIRP Indoor Limits
EIRP Outdoor Limits
PSD Limit
Emission Mask Class Satellite DL OOBE per operator/ETSI
Guardband Minimum [kHz] 2000
Typical Bandwidths 12.5 kHz–5 MHz (system‑dependent)
Autocalculated Bandlimits
Typical Bandwidths (Estimated) 12.5 kHz–5 MHz (system‑dependent)
Max EIRP [dBm]
Power Source Or Duty Profile (Typical)
Channelization Plan
Channelization Operator‑specific satellite carriers
Guard Band Requirement
OOB Emission Limit [dBm/MHz]
Spurious Emission Limit (dBm) ≤ −36 dBm/100 kHz near 1559 MHz (RNSS)
RX Blocking Min [dBm] Device ≥ −20 dBm (satellite receiver ref.)
Duplexing
Duplexing Information Downlink (space‑to‑Earth)
Uplink Pairing Mobile‑Satellite Downlink (MSS DL); space‑to‑Earth transmissions
Downlink Pairing Downlink from satellite; uplink in separate MSS band
Paired Band Info Earth‑to‑space uplink in separate MSS bands
Max EIRP [dBm]
Channelization Block Size Operator carriers (kHz–MHz)
3GPP Band Number
Example 3GPP Bands
LTE Uplink Bands
LTE Downlink Bands
NR Uplink Bands
NR Downlink Bands
Guard Bands ≥2–4 MHz below 1559 MHz to protect RNSS
Protocol Or Standard

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🌎 Country Overrides

Field Value
Tax Service Category Satellite Mobile
Tax License Type Licensed satellite service
Tax Regions Global (per operator & admin)
ITU Region 1 (Europe, Africa, Middle East (west of Persian Gulf), Western Russia & Mongolia) Region 1: MSS DL (1525–1559); protect RNSS ≥1559.
ITU Region 2 (North America, South America, Central America, Caribbean, Greenland, Eastern Pacific Islands (Americas region)) Region 2: MSS DL (operator/licensed); national coordination.
ITU Region 3 (Asia, Australia, Pacific Islands, Oceania, Indian Subcontinent, East Asia & Southeast Asia) Region 3: MSS DL in use; RNSS protection above 1559.
License Type
Primary Application Mobile‑Satellite Service (MSS) downlink reception
Primary Services Satellite downlink to user terminals (space‑to‑Earth)
Spurious Emission [dBm] ≤ −36 dBm/100 kHz near 1559 MHz (RNSS)
Lower Neighbor Use LTE/NR SDL; coordination at 1518–1525 edge
Upper Neighbor Use GNSS — strict protection
Licensing Model
Typical Services Devices
US FCC Alloc Part 25 Mobile‑Satellite downlink (space‑to‑Earth)–

CA IC Alloc

UK Ofcom Alloc 1525–1559 MHz: MSS downlink (Ofcom UKFAT)–

US Ref
Typical Bandwidths 12.5 kHz–5 MHz (system‑dependent)
Market Licensing Model Licensed spectrum – coordinated via ITU / satellite operator agreements
Market Common Devices Satellite phones, IoT terminals, aircraft and shipborne antennas
Fresnel Radius (1st, 1 km) [m] 7.02
Typical Bandwidths (Estimated) 12.5 kHz–5 MHz (system‑dependent)
Auction Status Not auctioned to MNOs; licensed to satellite operators
Refarming Use Not typical (dedicated satellite band)
Typical Site Spacing km /
Device Ecosystem Size Global (satphones, IoT, maritime/aviation terminals)
Traffic Load Share
Device Hotspots (MHz) 1525–1555 MHz
Device Category
Typical Use Cases
Typical Center Frequencies [MHz] 1530, 1545, 1555
Rule Part (Fcc Or Region)
Modulation (Device)
Channel Width (Device) [kHz]
Device Region Profiles Global MSS coverage; uniform device ecosystem across regions
Per-Region EIRP Or Duty (Device)
Allocation Relevance (Device)
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device)
Example Devices Or Skus Inmarsat IsatPhone; Iridium GO!; Thuraya XT‑PRO
Antenna Form Factor (Typical)
Power Source Or Duty Profile (Typical)

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🛡️ Regulatory & Neighbors

Field Value
Lower Band Frequency Limit 1525
Upper Band Frequency Limit 1559
Rx Blocking Min dBm Device ≥ −20 dBm (satellite receiver ref.)
Lower Neighbor Use LTE/NR SDL; coordination at 1518–1525 edge
Upper Neighbor Use GNSS — strict protection
Lower Neighbor Band
Lower Neighbor Range 1492–1518 MHz (SDL) & 1518–1525 MHz (guard)
Upper Neighbor Label
Upper Neighbor Range 1559–1610 MHz (RNSS/GNSS)
Adjacent-Band Collision Risks (Device)
Real-World Range (Indoor/Outdoor)
US FCC Alloc Part 25 Mobile‑Satellite downlink (space‑to‑Earth)Part 25 Mobile‑Satellite downlink (space‑to‑Earth)

CA IC Alloc
UK Ofcom Alloc 1525–1559 MHz: MSS downlink (Ofcom UKFAT)1525–1559 MHz: MSS downlink (Ofcom UKFAT)

Regulatory References US: ; CA: ; UK:
Global Harmonization High (MSS allocations globally)
Crossborder Coordination International satellite coordination; RNSS protection obligations
Sharing Mechanism
Auction Status Not auctioned to MNOs; licensed to satellite operators
Guard Or Pair ETSI EN 301 681; ITU-R M.1183; MSS system-specific specs

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📈 Market & Measurements

Field Value
Noise Floor Satellite downlink (space-to-Earth); GEO/MEO/LEO systems
Interference Cases Protect RNSS >1559 MHz; emission mask per ITU/ETSI limits
Lower Neighbor Range 1492–1518 MHz (SDL) & 1518–1525 MHz (guard)
Upper Neighbor Range 1559–1610 MHz (RNSS/GNSS)
Interference Notes
Market Licensing Model Licensed spectrum – coordinated via ITU / satellite operator agreements
Market Commercial Value High – global MSS applications (maritime, aviation, IoT, emergency comms)
Market Common Devices Satellite phones, IoT terminals, aircraft and shipborne antennas
Market Deployment Density High (satphones, IoT, maritime/aviation terminals)
Noise Floor (Estimated) Satellite downlink (space-to-Earth); GEO/MEO/LEO systems
Market Commercial Value (Estimated) High – global MSS applications (maritime, aviation, IoT, emergency comms)
Ecosystem Maturity High (maritime, aviation, IoT tracking)
Indoor Penetration Moderate (L‑band); sky view improves performance
Known Interference
Device Ecosystem Size Global (satphones, IoT, maritime/aviation terminals)
Real-World Range (Indoor/Outdoor)
Antenna Form Factor (Typical)
Ecosystem Maturity High (maritime, aviation, IoT tracking)
Device Ecosystem Size Global (satphones, IoT, maritime/aviation terminals)
Chipset Availability
Operator Deployments
Technology Generations Deployed
Roaming Support Global via satellite footprint
Traffic Load Share
Indoor Penetration Moderate (L‑band); sky view improves performance
Known Interference
Occupancy Mobile-Satellite downlink to terminals (voice/data/IoT)
Occupancy Bucket Pct >90% global utilization (MSS downlink in constant use)
Latency Profile
Common Channels Or Profiles
Security Features
Lbt Or Fhss Requirement No (channelized satellite downlink)
Popularity (Installed Base)
Coexistence Tips
Latency Class
Device Hotspots (Scoped && Tagged)

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