SpaceX’s plans to launch 4400 satellites in order to circle the planet with broadband access has moved a step closer. Last week SpaceX filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate the first batch of satellites at a lower orbit, and to start the shell of the system next year, which is […]
The world’s two largest satellite operators, Intelsat and SES, have enjoyed considerable share-price rises largely because of the “windfall” gains expected to flow from the re-versioning of their C-band frequencies over the US. One market commentator, having conducted a detail examination of the objections to the scheme, is extremely pessimistic, saying the C-Band Alliance’s (CBA) […]
The Spanish government plans to auction spectrum in the 700MHz band for 5G services in the first quarter of 2019. Currently, DTT channels are using that band, but will release it by March 2020. DTT migration is expected to commence in January of next year. The government aims to raise up to €1.05 billion with the […]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a pile of detailed applications from operators looking to launch significant satellite ‘mega-constellations’. The FCC will vote on November 15th on applications from a number of would-be operators, and some which are seeking expansion approvals. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has already indicated that November is ‘Space Month’ as far […]
A report from International Data Corporation (IDC) presents its inaugural forecast for the worldwide 5G network infrastructure market for the period 2018–2022. With the first instances of 5G services rolling out in the fourth quarter of 2018, 2019 is set to be a seminal year in the mobile industry. 5G handsets will begin to hit […]
ViaSat of Carlsbad, California, has agreed a $188 million (€165.3m) insurance claim as compensation for antenna failures on its ViaSat-2 satellite. Some $44.4 million has already been banked. ViaSat operates high-speed fixed and mobile broadband services to North American consumers as well as government and large commercial users. The operator is expanding over Europe and […]
A study from Juniper Research found that annual operator billed revenues from 5G connections will approach $300 billion (€263.8bn) by 2025, rising from $894 million in 2019, its anticipated first year of commercial service. This is an average annual growth of 163 per cent in its first six years. The study, 5G Market Strategies: Consumer […]
Telstar 18 Vantage, a new high-throughput satellite launched on September 10th, is now operational at 138 degrees East and offering commercial services. The Telstar fleet is operated by Ottawa-based Telesat. Built by Space Services/Loral (SS/L), a Maxar Technologies company, Telstar 18 Vantage is the latest in a new generation of Telesat satellites with capacity optimised […]
The C-band Alliance (formed by Intelsat, SES, Eutelsat and Telesat) is stressing that its proposed restructuring of C-band frequencies for 5G usage over the US will not exceed 180 MHz (plus a 20 MHz guard band) in the proposed speedy time-frame of 18-36 months. The consortium’s previous discussions with the FCC had offered 100 MHz […]
Elon Musk’s SpaceX project has a sister operation in the form of Starlink, a plan to launch around 4425 satellites in order to girdle the Earth and provide high-capacity broadband to every part of the planet. Starlink’s overall aim is to populate is fleet with up to 10,000 satellites in order to cope with anticipated […]