Currently SpaceX’s Starlink system dominates satellite-based broadband and the potential for ‘direct-to-device’ (MSS: Mobile Satellite Service) communications. However, Globalstar is rolling out its smaller constellation and has Apple helping finance its expansion. The initial problem is that both outfits use the same frequencies (as does Dish Network). SpaceX formally complained to the FCC on February […]

Intelsat’s Bankruptcy Court has agreed to hold a hearing into the SES claim for a larger share of the FCC’s C-band compensation payment. Judge Phillips will hold the hearing at his Richmond, Virginia court on April 24th. In essence, SES is asking for the hearing to resolve the dilemma of having ‘won’ an appeal against […]

In-Flight communications specialist Gogo Business Aviation has won an appeal held at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and which upheld an earlier verdict at the US District Court in Delaware and which involved denying SmartSky Networks’ motion for preliminary injunction against Gogo Business Aviation to keep it from selling its Gogo […]

The long-running dispute between SES and Intelsat over how the FCC’s C-band payments have been allocated has prompted SES to ask Intelsat’s Bankruptcy Court to hold a hearing in April. The hearing, if granted, will be heard and mediated by Judge Mark Colombell in Virginia. “SES believes that a hearing would be beneficial to address […]

Universal Music is removing its catalogue of songs from social media platform TikTok when its contract expires today [January 31st] after a breakdown in talks over payments. The move would mean TikTok would no longer have access to tracks by artists including the likes of Taylor Swift, Adele, The Weeknd, Coldplay, BTS and Drake. In […]

Zimbabwe’s Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has issued a warning to users of Starlink broadband equipment that they risk being arrested for the illegal import and usage of the kit. Zimbabwe has not licensed Starlink. The threat extends to companies and individuals who are importing or advertising the equipment. The regulator says […]

Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL), clearly suffering as a result of its collapsed merger with Sony’s Indian broadcasting interests, is pulling out of its contract with Disney India for a massive sub-licensing $1.4 billion (€1.29bn) agreement to cover key International Cricket Council (ICC) matches for the 2024-2027 seasons. ZEEL is already extremely late in paying an […]

There are strong objections to South Africa’s proposed SABC Bill for the nation’s public broadcaster and it must be withdrawn, report local media organisations. Three influential organisations have criticised the new Bill. SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) collectively made a submission to the […]

ITV has announced further updates to its Cultural Advisory Council. For its second term, the broadcaster recently updated the membership to include Prof Jason Arday – Professor of Sociology of Education, University of Cambridge; Jenny Lay-Flurrie – Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft; and Sara Wajid MBE – Co-CEO, Birmingham Museums Trust. Professor Arday, Lay-Flurrie and Wajid […]

Apple has announced that it will allow other app stores to be used on its devices in the EU from March. Currently, anyone with an iPhone/iPad can only download apps from the firm’s own App Store. Apple has been accused of creating a monopoly, giving customers and developers no other option but to go through […]