FCC chairman Ajit Pai, addressing the Wireless Spectrum Association meeting on May 23rd, said that the potential re-use for 5G of the 3.7-4.2 GHz frequency ranges will be addressed in July.

He told delegates that he had some good news on C-band, saying: “Last year the FCC agreed to explore repurposing more mid-band spectrum, including the 3.7–4.2 GHz band. We have done a lot of work on this issue in the time since, enough so that I am pleased to announce today that at the FCC’s July meeting I intend to put for a vote a proposal to make more intensive use of that 500 MHz of spectrum, including seeking additional input on making it available for commercial terrestrial use.”

The upbeat announcement helped drive a major rise (12 per cent) in Intelsat’s share price, to $16.30, by far the highest value since February 2015. Intelsat is seen as enjoying a considerable benefit if the scheme for the reuse in the US of at least some of its C-band frequencies for 5G telephony.

SES, which would also benefit, saw a more modest rise of some 2.66 per cent (to €13.53).

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