Luxembourg-based satellite-to-smartphone specialist OQ Technology has received a €25 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The sum is in the form of EIB venture debt. The cash will help further development of OQ’s network of low-earth-orbit satellites, offering 5G coverage and connectivity for direct-to-device Internet of Things and smartphones. The financing, supported by […]
The satellite industry, in particular SES (and its Intelsat subsidiary) and Eutelsat, is keen to see the next slice of C-band satellite spectrum auctioned off for use by US telcos and in particular 5G and expansion into 6G. SES would be happy to reversion 100 MHz – for a fee – and the FCC is […]
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 […]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued its much-expected Notice of Proposed Rulemaking covering its wish to tap into satellite’s Upper C-band (3.84-4.2 GHz) spectrum. The FCC is inviting comments on a range of options including auctioning up to 180 MHz with the ultimate goal of maximizing the amount of spectrum for next-gen wireless services […]
SES declared its H1 2024 results on August 1st. At first, the banks’ responses seemed content. For example, Sami Kassab, an analyst at BNP/Paribas talked about “in line” revenue growth (-4 per cent), although admitted that SES Video division did a bit worse. But as the day unfolded, it was clear that the market was […]
Intelsat is due to receive a windfall of $3.7 billion (€3.38bn) later this year after successfully clearing the C-band spectrum ahead of schedule for terrestrial 5G telecommunications companies in the US. The company launched its seventh and final C-band replacement satellite (Galaxy 37/Horizons-4) on August 3rd and obtained FCC certification for moving its broadcast customers […]
SES told analysts that while it was looking forward to banking some $3 billion in cash from the FCC’s C-band compensation scheme (and likely to be banked early to mid-Q4/2023) there was more cash likely to be forthcoming. CFO Sandeep Jalan’s advice was to “stay tuned”. Acting CEO Ruy Pinto and Jalan were briefing analysts […]
SES has filed its response to Intelsat’s bankruptcy court, arguing that when the two parties signed the 2018 [C-band] Consortium Agreement SES and Intelsat not only agreed to share equally in any proceeds resulting from clearing the C-Band, but they also agreed to share equally in expenses incurred in connection with their efforts – whether […]
On October 4th, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas-5 Centaur rocket placed two SES C-band satellites (SES-20 and SES-21) into orbit. On October 5th, SpaceX performed a similar task for two Intelsat satellites. The moves are part of an essential replacement of C-band frequencies over the US for the FCC to use by cellular operators […]
Hurricane Ian has moved away from the Cape Canaveral launch facilities, and if no other weather events happen then the United Launch Alliance (ULA) should be able to launch SES-20 and SES-21 into orbit later today [October 4th]. ULA plans to use one of its Atlas rockets at 5.36 pm EDT to loft the two […]