The National Public Radio (NPR) is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to pause a moment and to think again as to how C-band satellite spectrum is allocated over the US. Intel, Intelsat and SES are involved in a consortium which is seeking to free up some C-band spectrum in order to encourage a rapid […]
Four additional Thales-built O3b satellites are now in service and meaning that the SES-backed constellation is now 16-craft strong. The 4 new Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites are working at 8,000 kms above the ground, and SES says that collectively the new quartet adds 38 per cent extra capacity to the fleet. In MEO orbit […]
Abu Dhabi-based Yahsat’s third satellite, Al Yah 3, is ready for work at its 20 degrees West orbital slot. The satellite was launched back on January 26th and at first was feared lost, with its Ariane 5 launch rocket failing to deliver the satellite to its correct geostationary transfer orbit. Fortunately, the satellite was recovered […]
An equity report from Morgan Stanley says the potential gain from the FCC’s examination into utilising C-band spectrum over the US, mostly operated by Intelsat and SES, is “too big to ignore”. Morgan Stanley said that if the FCC decides to re-assign some C-band spectrum in order to speed the adoption of 5G then SES […]
Elon Musk has taken to Twitter to give a progress update on the first pair of ‘Starlink’ satellites, launched back on February 22nd. These two test satellites, named by Musk as TinTin A and B (although official named as Microsat 2a and Microsat 2b) are the first of a massive constellation planned by Musk to […]
Russia has plans to join the club of major players with massive satellite constellations. Russian news agency TASS says that Russian Space Systems Company (Roscosmos) wants to create a global constellation of 288 satellites, operating from 870 kms above the ground. The constellation, called Efir, would start operating in 2025, says the report quoting project […]
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 […]
Ottawa-based satellite operator Telesat says its debut LEO craft, launched in January, is now operational and ready for testing. The news also means that Telesat has successfully secured its ITU-authorised orbital positions and frequencies for its much larger constellation of LEO satellites. Telesat says that this Phase 1 satellite has already been agreed to be […]
Satellite operator Intelsat is leading a charge to see some of its C-band capacity used to help speed up 5G deployment in the US. Comments made by CEO Steve Spengler at J P Morgan’s Global Technology, Media and Communications conference in Boston have helped Intelsat’s share price drive to modern record high values. May 17th […]
More flexible and innovative approaches are needed in Australia to allow 5G mobile services and satellite-based services to co-exist, according to the nation’s communications satellite sector. The Satellite Services Working Group (SSWG) of Communications Alliance, the primary telecommunications industry body in Australia, in a Discussion Paper, calls for debate between Government, Regulators, Industry and other […]