Intelsat has wrapped the first stage of the FCC-mandated clearance of C-band spectrum over the US. Intelsat qualifies (as does SES) for the FCC’s Phase 1 of the clearance scheme ahead of the December 5th deadline. Phase II must be completed by the end of 2023. Intelsat’s overall payment from the FCC for clearing both […]
SES says it has received validation from the FCC in regard to the satellite operator’s Phase I C-band clearing obligations. It means that SES will receive $1 billion (€0.89) in an incentive payment from the FCC during the next few months. There’s another almost certain $3 billion due to be paid by the end of […]
Intelsat’s lawyers filed a revised Reorganisation Plan from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy into the court on November 19th. Intelsat and its associated businesses have debts of some $15 billion that it is seeking to halve. While this is a considerable sum it is modest when compared to the likes of Enron’s bankruptcy ($63 billion back […]
Canadian satellite operator Telesat says it will complete its merger with Loral Space & Communications on November 19th and expects its shares to start trading publicly on the Toronto stock market next week. At the same time its shares will be open to trade on the Nasdaq exchange in New York and replace the Loral […]
According to a survey carried out by Speedcheck, more than two-thirds of all 3G/4G users in the US want to adopt 5G but are prevented from doing so because of technical obstacles. The survey was carried out in October 2021 and was based on general cellular customer satisfaction, with additional emphasis on 5G. The survey […]
Intelsat’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy court has denied a Motion from Intelsat’s lawyers to bar two expert witnesses from giving their evidence. In particular, SES had wanted to call Jane Mago as an expert witness in its dispute with Intelsat. Her evidence covers what the FCC orders and regulations mean. The second witness permitted to appear […]
Jeff Bezos already has FCC permission to launch 3236 low Earth orbiting satellites in his Project Kuiper. On November 4th his Kuiper team asked the FCC for permission to add another 4538 satellites to take the toral to 7774. “Kuiper Systems LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon, requests FCC authority to launch and operate […]
Last week it was aerospace giant Boeing which received permission from the FCC to launch a broadband constellation of 147 satellites. California-based Astra Space has gone much better. It applied to the FCC on November 4th to “ultimately” launch 13,620 satellites. But Astra and Boeing are not alone. The FCC has received fresh requests from […]
SES reported during its 9-months (Q3) results that HD channel growth on its fleet had taken the number of HD channels broadcasting on the fleet to “an industry leading” 3,150 channels which “reflected early signs of broadcasters considering completing their transition from SD to HD”. The move to HD and with video pricing remaining healthy […]
Boeing’s plans for a 147-fleet of V-band low Earth orbiting satellites have been given approval by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC says its licence covers Boeing’s plans for a broadband and communications services for residential, commercial, institutional, governmental, and professional users in the US and globally. “Advanced satellite broadband services have an important […]