A US bipartisan House Energy & Commerce Committee has introduced potential legislation to update the FCC’s current satellite licensing rules. One aspect will be the prohibition of Chinese businesses, although it is not yet completely clear whether the legislation will cover satellites where ownership – as distinct to components – includes Chinese companies. This could […]
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved SpaceX’s application to deploy up to 7,500 satellites but put other decisions on hold. SpaceX had sought approval to operate a network of 29,988 non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites. “Specifically, we grant SpaceX authority to construct, deploy, and operate up to 7,500 satellites operating at altitudes of 525, […]
The US Federal Communications Commission has unveiled new rules that will for the first time require broadband providers to display easy-to-understand labels to allow consumers to comparison shop for broadband services. The Report and Order approved by the Commission creates rules that require broadband providers to display, at the point of sale, labels that show […]
Plume, the personalised communications services pioneer, has been selected by the FCC as one of the first cohort of industry players to proceed with the testing of automated frequency control (AFC) systems in the US in the 6 GHz frequency band. Globally, Plume’s cloud-based control system serves more than 43 million homes and already supports […]
Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has unveiled a plan to reorganise the agency better to support the needs of the growing satellite industry, promote long-term technical capacity at the FCC, and navigate 21st global communications policy. Under this plan, Chairwoman Rosenworcel will work to reorganise the FCC’s International Bureau into a new Space Bureau […]
SES is mounting an appeal in its battle to win 50 per cent of the FCC’s C-band incentive payments. On September 30th the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, disallowed the SES motion which – in effect – meant that Intelsat could hold onto its FCC payments. SES Americom, the […]
Satellite operator SES has seen its share price not only perform miserably (by any measure the shares are ‘in the toilet’ currently) but continuing to be under pressure. The deterioration has prompted a report from investment bank Berenberg. The bank issued very firm ‘BUY’ advice to clients, and giving a price target of €11.20. Currently […]
United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched two SES satellites into their geosynchronous transfer orbits on October 4th from their Cape Canaveral launch site. ULA used a massive Atlas-V Centaur rocket to carry its two craft. SES-20 and SES-21 are both Boeing-built all-electric craft and will be used to supply C-band television transmissions to cable and […]
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 […]
A Virginia bankruptcy court has ruled (“disallowed”) the action by SES against Intelsat for a 50 per cent share of the FCC’s C-band incentive payments. The Court has allowed SES to appeal the decision if it so wishes. SES says it is disappointed with the ruling. “It is reviewing with outside counsel its options to […]