Advanced Television

SES

EU satellite operators back LEO scheme

Currently neither SES, Eutelsat nor Hispasat, Europe’s three major satellite operators, have backed low Earth orbiting (LEO) systems with consumer facing broadband services. But the three say they are prepared to co-invest in the European Commission’s suggestion for an EU-wide LEO system. The European Commission is backing the concept of a dedicated LEO system for […]

January 13, 2021By Chris Forrester

Bank downbeat on SES, upbeat on Eutelsat

Investment bank Berenberg, in its previews of media stocks for 2021, is downbeat on satellite operator SES. It is maintaining its ‘SELL’ advice to clients and gives a guide price for SES shares of just €6.80 per share. The bank downgraded SES last year and says it remains of the view that consensus forecasts will […]

January 13, 2021

SES vs Intelsat dispute drags in Telesat

SES, which is suing Intelsat with a $1.8 billion claim and due to go to trial in June, is looking to bring testimony from Ottawa-based Telesat into the dispute. At the heart of the legal dispute between SES and Intelsat is an argument over Intelsat’s handling of an alleged 50/50 agreed division within the C-Band […]

January 11, 2021

More FCC auction cash for satellite operators?

The demand for the FCC’s allocation of new spectrum in its current Auction 107 has been staggering. The bids and the auction have resulted in the highest-ever payments being made for spectrum. More than $80 billion has already been tabled in gross payments, and the process fully enabled by the satellite industry freeing up their […]

January 8, 2021

C-band auction tops $66bn

The FCC‘s auction (Auction 107) of C-band spectrum has reached $66.4 billion (€73.1bn) in its latest round after two weeks of bidding. This easily exceeds the former record of $45 billion raised during the AWS-3 auction held in 2015. Some reports suggest that the enthusiasm for spectrum from bidders could see extra ‘incentive’ cash going […]

December 23, 2020By Chris Forrester

EC LEO plan gets support from satcos

The European Commission (EC) is looking to build a global Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) broadband-by-satellite system to help bridge – and solve – the digital divide in connectivity. The European Commission has selected a consortium of European satellite manufacturers, operators and service providers, telco operators and launch service providers to study the design, development and […]

December 23, 2020By Chris Forrester

SpaceX, OneWeb receive Australian spectrum

SpaceX and OneWeb, along with other satellite and telco operators, has been granted millimetre wave spectrum in Australia by the country’s media regulator. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued licences in the 26GHz and 28 GHz bands to SpaceX Starlink as well as OneWeb, New Skies Satellite/SES, O3b/SES, Inmarsat, Viasat, Telstra, Optus, […]

December 22, 2020By Chris Forrester

SES winning Ethiopian DTH battle?

The rivalry between SES and Eutelsat to win DTH homes in Ethiopia seems to be going firmly in favour of SES. In a statement, SES said that on January 1st “the majority” of satellite TV channels beaming to Ethiopia will be carried from 57 degrees East. “To continue accessing their favourite TV channels on Ethiopia’s […]

December 21, 2020

SES launches HD+ for Ghana

SES is tapping into local enthusiasm for multi-channel TV in Ghana by adding HD+ technology to its regular transmissions. HD+, a subsidiary of SES, offers a significantly improved HD signal (1600 x 900 pixels) and is proving to be a tangible success in Germany. Subscribers in Ghana will need a new decoder box capable of […]

December 16, 2020By Chris Forrester

SES opens O3b facility in Australia

Satellite operator SES has opened an O3b ground station in Australia. It ensures that enhanced connectivity services can be supplied to businesses and communities across Australia and the Pacific Islands. The new satellite ground station is based at the Pivotel teleport in Dubbo, New South Wales. Specifically, the expanded facility will support O3b’s next-generation mPOWER […]

December 14, 2020By Chris Forrester