The FCC has opened the important AWS-3 auction of frequencies, the first spectrum auction in four years, with two rounds taking place on June 2nd. The AWS-3 auction offers 200 5G-grade spectrum licences in mostly local markets. The licence areas included in this auction are home to over 100 million consumers across 48 states, two […]

Non-European satellite operators such as Starlink and Amazon can bid for mobile satellite spectrum, the European ‌Commission has ruled. Two thirds of the ‌available spectrum will be divided equally ⁠between EU and non-EU operators for commercial use, the EU executive said, confirming a previous Reuters report. The move is a compromise after at least one […]

Ann Vandenbroucke, Chief Regulatory Officer at Rivada Space Networks, has left the company. Vandenbroucke is a highly-regarded expert in the field of satellite regulation and previousely held a similar post at Avanti Communications. Her departure note said: “As the amazing time at Rivada ends, I can say I seldom had more fun, purpose and teamspirit […]

The FCC has voted to modernise its satellite spectrum-sharing rules, describing the move as a major step toward enhancing the satellite broadband experience for millions of Americans by enabling faster speeds, lower costs, and greater reliability. This change could also unlock more than $2 billion (€1.7bn) in economic benefits for the American people and up […]

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has announced that the Commission is to vote on an order to modernise its satellite spectrum-sharing rules—a change that could unlock more than $2 billion in economic benefits for the American people and up to seven-fold more capacity for space-based broadband services. SpaceX had lobbied for such a move, suggesting it […]

To meet the growing demand for satellite connectivity services in the UK, comms regulator Ofcom has decided to make more spectrum available for satellite gateway earth stations. Satellite communication systems rely on gateway earth stations which enable large volumes of data to be transmitted between Earth and space, and then onwards to the internet or […]

The FCC is looking closely at certain satellite ‘guard bands’ which separate designated key frequencies in order to avoid unwanted interference. These bands are frequently used for TT&C, the jargon for Telemetry, Tracking and Command of satellites in orbit. The FCC issued one of its Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on March 5th asking stakeholders […]

Satellite operator SES has, until recently, explained that it favoured just 100 MHz of C-band upper segment being cleared for the FCC to auction. The FCC is required to complete its competitive bidding auction process no later than July 2027 for at least 100 MHz. A ruling is expected from the FCC during the second-half […]

The FCC has suggested selling off as much as 180 MHz of satellite upper C-band spectrum in its upcoming auction. However, satellite operator SES, which now controls the bulk of the spectrum likely to be auctioned, is appealing to the FCC to keep the auction to no more than 160 MHz. “Clearing the maximum 180 […]

January 9th saw the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approve a batch of major requests from SpaceX to increase the size of the Starlink broadband-by-satellite fleet. The decision is notable in that the FCC has wasted no time in coming to its decision, and the benefits to SpaceX are considerable. The FCC said that it has […]