The US’s FCC has confirmed what it describes as the successful conclusion of bidding in its auction of Priority Access Licenses in the 3550-3650 MHz band for 5G, raising some $4.5 billion, although it has yet to name the successful bidders. The auction made available the greatest number of spectrum licences ever in a single […]
Eutelsat, which is also involved in the restructuring of C-band frequencies over the US, has confirmed to the FCC that it will not be buying a dedicated C-band satellite to serve its North American clients. Eutelsat back in June had cautioned the FCC that an additional satellite might be needed – at a cost of […]
There are already well over 500 working Starlink satellites in orbit from Elon Musk’s SpaceX operation. SpaceX has launched almost 600 satellites but some have inevitably failed in orbit. Starlink’s existing ‘friends and family’ beta tests will be expanded once SpaceX places another 240 or so satellites into orbit. This will need another four rocket […]
The White House and US Department of Defense (DOD) have revealed that the 3.45-3.55 GHz band will be made available for 5G, a move that has been welcomed by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The DOD worked closely with the Services, as part of America’s Mid-Band Initiative Team (AMBIT), and leveraged technical work performed by the […]
The US’s Federal Communications Commission has established final application and bidding procedures for the auction of 280 megahertz of mid-band spectrum for 5G and other advanced wireless services. This auction will offer 5,684 new flexible-use overlay licences based on Partial Economic Areas (PEAs) for spectrum in the 3.7–3.98 GHz band. This spectrum holds the potential […]
US President Donald Trump has changed his mind and rescinded the renewal nomination of one of his own Republican commissioners. Commissioner Michael O’Rielly’s 5-year term expired in June 2019. He was originally nominated to the FCC by President Obama in November 2013 and confirmed for his term on the FCC in 2015. In March this […]
Video delivery specialist Harmonic has identified what it describes as a “several hundred million dollar opportunity” to re-engineer the video delivery systems relating to the FCC-mandated reclamation of C-band satellite spectrum for 5G, suggesting it fits squarely into the “sweet spot” of Harmonic’s expertise and market relationships. Speaking on the company’s Q2 2020 Results Earnings […]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Amazon’s plan for its Project Kuiper scheme to launch 3236 satellites into orbit for a global ‘broadband by satellite’ Ka-band system. The FCC approval is an important regulatory step for Jeff Bezos who has earmarked $10 billion for Kuiper. In previous comments Jeff Bezos has said that he […]
Dissatisfied Intelsat shareholders who allege that there were breaches of fiduciary duties by certain directors at Intelsat have won their day in court. The Shareholders Foundation, in a statement, say: “According to that complaint filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California the plaintiff alleges that the Defendants violated provisions of […]
Video delivery specialist Harmonic is to partner with satellite operator SES for technology upgrades associated with the SES transition plan filed with the Federal Communications Commission on June 19th, 2020. The pair will work together to fast-track this deployment, freeing up spectrum for 5G while simultaneously enabling SES’s C-band customers to maintain the quality and […]