Advanced Television

FCC

FCC’s O’Rielly stepping down

FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly has confirmed that he will step down from his role when his term is up, and has made clear that he is not seeking any support in staying in the job. His time is up either in January or should a replacement be appointed, whichever is the sooner. O’Rielly is a […]

October 2, 2020By Chris Forrester

FCC to open up more spectrum for 5G

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has shared with his colleagues a draft proposal which would take steps toward making the 3.45-3.55 GHz band available for commercial use throughout the contiguous United States. This item will be on the agenda of the FCC’s September 30th Open Meeting and, if adopted, would position this 100 megahertz […]

September 9, 2020By Colin Mann

FCC announces mid-band auction winners

The US’s Federal Communications Commission has released the results of the recently-concluded auction of 70 megahertz of Priority Access Licenses (PALs) in the 3550-3650 MHz band for 5G. The auction made available the greatest number of spectrum licences ever in a single FCC auction. Auction 105 gross proceeds reached $4,585,663,345, with net proceeds totalling $4,543,232,339. […]

September 3, 2020

Skyboxe receives FCC certification

Skyboxe, the company that’s paving the way for 4G and 5G fixed wireless broadband, has announced that its smart edge computing platform, the Skyboxe Hub 4G, has received an equipment authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The first-of-its kind Skyboxe solution is an all-in-one, applications-enabled platform that combines hardware, data connectivity, and entertainment and […]

September 2, 2020

FCC denies C-band objectors

The FCC has firmly turned down objections from a few satellite operators who were not included in its 5G reallocation of C-band satellite frequencies. The three, collectively known as the ‘Small satellite Operators’ and comprising ABS Global, Empresa Argentina de Soluciones Satelitales, Hispamar and Hispasat of Madrid, had filed their objections to the FCC’s auction […]

September 1, 2020

OneWeb wins FCC approval for extra 1280 satellites

The FCC has approved OneWeb’s request to deploy an additional 1,280 satellites to provide high-speed broadband services in the US. The approval increases the number of satellites OneWeb can operate in the US market from 720 to 2,000, offering the company “greater opportunities to deliver satellite-based broadband services to the public,” the agency said in […]

August 28, 2020By Chris Forrester

FCC concludes 1st 5G mid-band spectrum auction

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 […]

August 26, 2020By Colin Mann

Eutelsat lays out C-band strategy

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 […]

August 19, 2020By Chris Forrester

SpaceX on track for 2021 Starlink launch

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 […]

August 17, 2020

US frees up midband spectrum for 5G

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 […]

August 11, 2020By Colin Mann