Investors who have given SES and Intelsat a hard time should have paid attention to comments made on Monday (March 4) by four of the FCC’s Commissioners.

The Commissioners, two Democratic appointees, Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks, as well as two Republicans, Michael O’Rielly and Brendan Carr, made it clear that any ‘nationalisation’ by the Trump administration of the C-band spectrum was not likely.

“It will be the private sector, not some government-mandated network, that’s taking the lead [in 5G],” O’Rielly said Monday during a speaking event at Wiley Rein LLP’s Washington, DC, office. “Such a network will never occur, and I will strenuously object to make sure that it fails and falls by the wayside.”

That unambiguous message seems to counter rumours and gossip emanating from some Trump supporters that could threaten the SES and Intelsat plan.

Commissioner Carr used Twitter to say: “Our plan to secure US leadership in 5G is working. It’s built on smart infrastructure policy, freeing up more spectrum,  allowing our private sector to invest (and) compete. Turning heel on this successful, free-market approach through China-like nationalization is a non-starter.”

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