The FCC is updating and modernising its satellite and teleport/Earth station licensing process. It says the move is designed to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the space industry. The FCC has approved a Report and Order to accelerate existing processes for licensing satellite and earth stations. Noting an “increase in complexity and number” […]

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 […]

Satellite operator SES has confirmed that the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has validated the certification of SES’s Phase II accelerated C-band clearing and relocation activities. With this milestone, and following the successful completion of its Phase I activities in 2021, SES has fulfilled its commitment to the FCC’s programme to clear a portion of […]

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has shared with her colleagues final rules to ensure spectrum certainty for communications services used during commercial space launches. As private companies have assumed a vital role in the launch and operation of space satellites, scientific exploration, and transportation of astronauts both for public and commercial purposes, they need access to […]

Inmarsat, prior to its take-over by US-based Viasat, had planned to launch a fleet of low Earth orbiting satellites (Orchestra). It now seems that Viasat is re-thinking the scheme which would save millions in terms of investment. Viasat has written to the FCC withdrawing its applications for V-band satellite spectrum. The letter from Viasat to […]

Noting that video consumption has increased in recent years, expedited in part by changes in how people have watched entertainment during the pandemic, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has circulated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to her colleagues to initiate a proceeding to understand challenges related to distribution and supply in this market, especially as it […]

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has introduced a Report and Order in the Next Generation Broadcast Television (ATSC 3.0 or Next Gen TV) docket, making changes to its Next Gen TV rules designed to preserve over-the-air (OTA) television viewers’ access to the widest possible range of programming while also supporting television broadcasters’ transition to […]

US President Joe Biden has announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to serve as key leaders in his administration: Anna M Gomez, Nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission Geoffrey Adam Starks, Nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission Brendan Carr, Nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission Starks and […]

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rejected Charlie Ergen’s DISH Network objections to Starlink satellite transmissions in the 12 GHz band. The FCC said in its decision that its Commissioners had “unanimously” approved a move to protect frequencies for satellite services in the 12.2-12.7 GHz bands that Starlink, OneWeb and other operators use to […]

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced a new public-private initiative led by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to guide the next steps of NextGen TV. The ‘Future of TV’ initiative will work to identify a roadmap to orderly transition ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0-based services as smoothly as possible for consumers. “Today, we are […]