FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has suggested that US leadership in 5G technology is a national imperative for economic growth and competitiveness, outlining measures the agency is taking to make sure the US continues to lead in 5G. Speaking at the White House 5G Summit, Pai also outlined his 5G FAST (Facilitate America’s Superiority in 5G […]
According to US telco Verizon, the world’s first commercial 5G network goes live today, October 1st. Verizon’s 5G Home network, providing 5G broadband internet service, is officially live today for consumers in parts of Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Sacramento. Installations of 5G Home began this morning for ‘First on 5G’ customers in those cities, […]
Intelsat, SES, Eutelsat and Telesat have created the C-band Alliance (CBA), a formal consortium to work to clear the USA’s mid-band satellite spectrum for use by the nation’s 5G operators. In a joint statement, the four – which between them control 100 per cent of C-band spectrum in use over the US – say the […]
Thales avionics in-flight communication and entertainment division, Inflyt, is looking to supply a global Ka-band satellite service to aircraft passengers. Recently appointed Inflyt CEO Phillippe Carette told Runway Girl Network that it would still be using planned capacity on SES-17 (which Thales Alenia Space is building) and its 200 spot beams over North and South […]
Elon Musk has more than a few challenges on his plate. He has problems with the powerful Securities & Exchange Commission over comments he made about his Tesla electric car. He is also busy developing the immense ‘Big Falcon Rocket’ (BFR) to take at least one paying passenger around the Moon, and ultimately to take colonists […]
In-flight broadband and communications (IFC) operator Gogo says it is now operating its TV service on more than 550 aircraft with three global airlines. Gogo TV delivers live television programming to aircraft for passenger consumption, including sports and news. Content can be delivered to passengers’ Wi-Fi enabled personal electronic devices or integrated into an airline’s […]
A major report from Paris-based Euroconsult says that the satellite industry will see revenues shift more towards telco and data-based traffic and revenues, and away from video and DTH income. Based on the latest market projections, wholesale capacity revenues from telecom applications will surpass video applications by 2021. The growth is largely supported by the […]
There are significant improvements planned for the Baikonur launch facility (in Kazakhstan, but controlled by Russia) ahead of the planned series of launches for the ‘mega-constellation’ of OneWeb satellites. Russian news agency Sputnik reports that floors in the main assembly hall and testing facility are being replaced in order to limit dust and improve air […]
Vodafone UK has plans to switch on 1,000 5G sites by 2020, as it seeks to position itself as leading the country towards the next generation of mobile technology. Vodafone reiterated its intention to trial 5G in seven cities from next month, and revealed plans to commercially launch 5G services in Cornwall and the Lake […]
Inmarsat has signed what it describes as a major 10-year agreement with Panasonic Avionics to provide in-flight broadband and entertainment for commercial airlines. The pair say the partnership would enable them to combine their “highly complementary” services to offer broadband in-flight connectivity (IFC), paired with high-value solutions and services to customers in the commercial aviation […]