FCC
SpaceX gets OK to re-space Starlink orbits
The FCC said SpaceX can field satellites in 72 rings around the Earth at 550 kilometers — three times as many as the commission approved in April.
FCC approves HawkEye 360 application for 15 satellites
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission gave HawkEye 360 the approvals it needs to launch and operate 15 additional satellites for radio-frequency mapping from low-Earth orbit.
Eutelsat OK with FCC’s C-band auction plan provided satellite operator costs are covered
In a Nov. 21 letter to the FCC, Eutelsat told the commission that some proceeds from the spectrum sale should go toward covering costs satellite operators will incur moving out of the band, and to provide “incentive” payments to expedite the spectrum transition to new 5G users.
FCC announcement unlikely to be the final decision about C-band spectrum
The announcement this week by the head of the Federal Communications Commission that he will seek a public action of satellite C-band spectrum is unlikely to be the final word in that debate, industry officials believe.
Satellite operators lose battle for private C-band auction worth billions
BREMEN, Germany — FCC Chairman Ajit Pai informed Congress Nov. 18 that the agency will run a public auction of C-band spectrum instead of allowing a consortium of satellite operators to sell it directly to 5G wire…
C-Band Alliance says it would send billions to U.S. treasury under private spectrum auction
Satellite operators Intelsat, SES and Telesat on Nov. 15 detailed how they would calculate the proceeds they have pledged to contribute to the U.S. treasury if the Federal Communications Commission accepts their proposal to privately auction C-band spectrum sought by 5G network operators.
Megaconstellation milestones high on U.S. WRC-19 priority list
Finding international consensus on deployment milestones for constellations of non-geosynchronous satellites is a top space-related priority for the U.S. delegation attending the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference, officials said Nov. 1.
Senator pushes for FCC, not satellite operators, to run C-band auction
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said the FCC should be able to clear the spectrum just as fast as the C-Band Alliance, if not faster, by holding a public auction.
SpaceX submits paperwork for 30,000 more Starlink satellites
The FCC, on SpaceX’s behalf, submitted 20 filings to the ITU for 1,500 satellites apiece in various low Earth orbits, an ITU official confirmed Oct. 15 to SpaceNews.
Swarm of tiny satellites could relay messages by year’s end
Since 2017, Swarm Technologies has built, launched and operated nine miniature satellites, raised more than $28 million for a 150-spacecraft constellation and forged agreements with some 200 potential customers. The company’s most impressive accomplishment, though, isn’t on that list.
FCC commissioner defends C-Band Alliance but renews call for more 5G spectrum
The Federal Communications Commission’s most vocal official on C-band spectrum rebuffed critics of a satellite industry proposal to repurpose some of the spectrum for cellular 5G through a private auction.
SES, Viasat say FCC’s rural broadband latency requirements unfair to satellites
Satellite operators want to participate in a newly proposed $20.4 billion rural broadband program, but say the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s scoring criteria for signal lag puts them at a disadvantage.
Satellite C-band is worth billions, but how many?
As the U.S. Federal Communications Commission prepares to decide how to reallocate some or all of the nation’s satellite C-band spectrum for the coming wave of 5G mobile communications services, experts say appraising the monetary value of the spectrum remains tricky.
SpaceX says more Starlink orbits will speed service, reduce launch needs
SpaceX is asking federal regulators to allow it to spread out Starlink satellites in more rings around the Earth.
FCC’s streamlined licensing rules seen as boon for smallsat industry
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s streamlined licensing rules for small satellites sailed through a vote Aug. 1, establishing a path for companies to secure spectrum rights much faster and cheaper than current regulations allow.
Op-ed | Small satellites are big business
With its unique alpha-to-omega regulatory sway over the satellite industry, the FCC plays an outsized role in shaping the nascent commercial space industry.
