Advanced Television

SES

Judge says “no” to Intelsat stockholders

A hearing on March 17th before Judge Keith Phillips at his Intelsat bankruptcy court decided to deny certain stockholders any official voice in the upcoming Intelsat financial restructuring. The ad hoc group also wanted the court to determine which of the dozens of Intelsat businesses should receive the FCC’s C-band incentive payments. The group of […]

March 19, 2021By Chris Forrester

Bank reviews Eutelsat vs SES

Analysts at Berenberg Bank have compared and contrasted Europe’s two satellite giants SES and Eutelsat in a detailed report. SES has a balance sheet that is in good shape says Berenberg but, despite its larger size, will generate much less cash flow than Eutelsat in 2021 and 2022, and, given uncertainty about the long-term future […]

March 18, 2021

Canada’s C-band plan draws complaints

The world’s three-largest satellite operators are complaining to Canada’s government regarding its proposed restructuring of C-band spectrum for 5G adoption. In essence they are saying that they must be compensated for giving up their frequencies over Canada, and any Canadian scheme which only compensates Telesat would be a violation of trade agreements. The comments come […]

March 17, 2021

Analyst: “Satcom entering new consolidation cycle”

Joseph Ibeh, analyst at satellite and space market research and consulting services specialist NSR, suggests that further satcom consolidation is on the horizon, with the global satellite communication industry transitioning to meet new market trends and match projected threats from perceived disruptors. In particular, he argues that an SES and Eutelsat merger could help both […]

March 16, 2021By Colin Mann

SES/Intelsat hearing postponed

Intelsat’s bankruptcy court has postponed a March 17th hearing of the SES action against Intelsat and where SES is claiming $1.8 billion for what it alleges is unfair practice during the C-Band Alliance process and the subsequent division of the FCC’s ‘incentive’ payments for clearing the satellite frequencies. The bankruptcy court adjourned the hearing on […]

March 12, 2021By Chris Forrester

Bank reacts to SpaceX broadband-to-vehicles plan

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is seeking permission to launch its Starlink broadband-by-satellite service to moving vehicles. Musk, in a Tweet, stressed that Starlink was not targeting Tesla or other cars, but aircraft, ships, large trucks and RVs; “Our terminal is much too big [for cars]” he said. Sami Kassab, satellite analyst at investment bank Exane/BNPP, said […]

March 10, 2021

SpaceX asks FCC for sat-links to vehicles

SpaceX, which is moving ahead with its broadband-by-satellite service, is asking the FCC for permission to beam signals to moving vehicles, vessels and aircraft. If granted, the SpaceX services will be ‘blanket licensed’ under the FCC’s existing ‘Earth Stations in Motion’ rules and be capable of handling internet services to any moving vehicle including cars […]

March 9, 2021By Chris Forrester

Intelsat court hearing on March 17

Intelsat’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy court will hold an omnibus hearing on March 17th. The remote video hearing will see Judge Philips hear a number of motions. Three important items listed for hearing are the application by Intelsat’s lawyers for the court to approve Intelsat’s request for an “Expedited” process for its exit plan from bankruptcy. […]

March 9, 2021By Chris Forrester

Bausch confirms SES departure

Romain Bausch has confirmed he is shortly to stand down as Chairman of the SES Board. In a letter to shareholders within the company’s latest Annual Report, he said: “I have been at the helm of the company for 25 years, firstly as CEO and latterly as Chairman and with the company now entering an […]

March 9, 2021By Chris Forrester

SES gets tough over C-band cash

The $1.8 billion legal claim by SES on Intelsat concerning the SES claim on the split of FCC’s C-band incentive payments rumbles on, but with some tough comments from an SES submission to Intelsat’s bankruptcy court. SES filed its further motion with Intelsat’s bankruptcy court on March 3rd and wants the court to determine which […]

March 5, 2021