DirecTV

FCC considers opening up more Ku-band to non-GEO satellite operators
The Federal Communications Commission is considering opening up more Ku-band spectrum to Starlink and other non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) operators to improve broadband speeds.

DirecTV says 5G plan would degrade satellite TV reception
DirecTV said July 18 its satellite TV customers face major disruption if broadcast rival Dish Network gets to deploy 5G wireless services in the 12 GHz spectrum band.

DirecTV’s defunct Spaceway-1 reaches high graveyard orbit in one piece
DirecTV’s Spaceway-1 satellite has been retired to a graveyard orbit 500 kilometers above the geostationary arc, eliminating the risk of the malfunctioning satellite exploding in an orbit populated by active satellites.

DirecTV’s damaged Spaceway-1 satellite moving to graveyard orbit
Spaceway-1 began relocating Jan. 29, two satellite trackers told SpaceNews, and is continuing to raise its altitude to a “graveyard orbit” about 300 kilometers above active geostationary communications satellites.

Boeing says Spaceway-1 battery failure has low risk of repeating on similar satellites
The battery malfunction that put DirecTV’s Spaceway-1 satellite at risk of exploding has a “very low likelihood” of occuring on other satellites, according to the satellite’s manufacturer, Boeing.

DirecTV fears explosion risk from satellite with damaged battery
DirecTV is racing to move its Spaceway-1 satellite out of the geostationary arc after the 14-year-old satellite suffered a crippling battery malfunction that the company fears could cause it to explode.

AT&T exec retiring • Kacific to use ABS teleport • Gogo secures $30 million credit line
John Donovan, the CEO of AT&T Communications, is stepping down after two years in the position.

NBN gets praise for Sky Muster data plans • OHB revenues on the rise • U.S. pay-TV subs in decline
Australian farmers are celebrating the start of less restrictive satellite internet from the country’s twin Sky Muster broadband satellites.

Ariane 5 lofts satellites for AT&T, Eutelsat
The heavy lift launcher took off from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 5:44 p.m. Eastern, carrying the T-16 satellite for AT&T’s DirecTV business, and the Eutelsat-7C satellite for French operator Eutelsat Communications.

DirecTV- and Intelsat-owned Satellite Will Host Yahsat Payload
A large Ku-band direct-broadcast television satellite under construction for satellite-broadcaster DirecTV’s Latin American division and for satellite fleet operator Intelsat will also carry a Ka-band payload built for Yahsat of the United Arab Emirates, DirecTV and Intelsat said.

Ariane 5 Lofts Pair of DirecTV Satellites
Europe’s Ariane 5 rocket on May 27 successfully delivered two direct-broadcast television satellites into transfer orbit for DirecTV in the vehicle’s 65th consecutive success and the second of six missions planned for 2015.