FCC votes to open C-band for 5G

“We are going to need a bigger boat,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said July 12, quoting the 1975 movie Jaws as a metaphor for the challenge of handling 5G needs. “Or in our case, more spectrum.”

Why Intelsat’s going with life extension over refueling

Intelsat-901, a 17-year-old communications satellite running low on propellant, is awaiting a first-of-its-kind service call from a robotic spacecraft carrying a fresh tank of fuel.

Asian satellite operators worried U.S. C-band debate will affect their markets

Satellite operators in Asia say the debate over C-band in the United States is triggering similar discussions in their markets, causing concern that cellular operators could end up in control of the spectrum in other parts of the world.

FCC unveils proposal for C-band reallocation

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission issued a draft proposal June 21 for giving the wireless industry access to C-band spectrum commercial satellite operators use to deliver cable and broadcast network programming.

SES, Intelsat plead for an extension for C-band dish registration

Fleet operators SES and Intelsat asked the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to extend the deadline for their customers to register C-band dishes before the commission decides on the band’s future use.

Arabsat Falcon Heavy mission slated for December-January timeframe

SpaceX’s first Falcon Heavy launch with a commercial satellite is scheduled to occur around the end of the year, according to customer Arabsat.

How long should a satellite last: five years, ten years, 15, 30?

PASADENA, California — Satellite manufacturers and operators attending the Space Tech Expo here offered contrasting views on how long satellites should continue to work in orbit.

For years, government and commercial operators sought t…

FCC tells Eutelsat that Intelsat already called dibs on U.S. orbital slot

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission rejected a Eutelsat application for a satellite that would use the same spectrum as one planned by Intelsat.

Arianespace cancels Ariane 5 launch over ISRO satellite issue

An Ariane 5 launch has been cancelled after an unexplained problem with an Indian space agency satellite that was supposed to ride on the mission.

Satellite communications firms remain vigilant as cyber threats evolve

In spite of all the safeguards, companies must continually monitor traffic on their global networks to detect attempted or successful penetration and take steps to mitigate the impact of security breaches.

SES allies with Intelsat, Intel on revised US C-band proposal

Satellite fleet operator SES has agreed to join Intelsat on an amended proposal to let 5G networks use some of the satellite industry’s coveted C-band spectrum for next-generation cellular systems in the United States.

Intelsat begins Galaxy fleet refresh with Orbital ATK satellite order

Satellite fleet operator Intelsat kicked off the beginning of a partial constellation replenishment focused on replacing the company’s Galaxy line of satellites with a Jan. 8 order to Orbital ATK for the Galaxy-30 satellite.

Former Thuraya CEO leaves OneWeb for Intelsat

Samer Halawi is leaving satellite internet startup OneWeb after less than a year to join Intelsat in a newly created executive position.

FCC begins approval of Orbital ATK satellite-servicing mission for Intelsat-901

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Dec. 5 okayed the first part of a satellite-servicing mission Orbital ATK’s Space Logistic subsidiary has with Intelsat, saying the servicing vehicle can execute “rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking with the Intelsat-901” satellite while in a graveyard orbit.

Registering C-band dishes a costly, cumbersome task for customers, SES says

If the U.S. Federal Communications Commission wants a more accurate database of C-band satellite dishes, it should make the process of registering those dishes less expensive and time-consuming, fleet operator SES said Dec. 6.

5 Markets | KVH turns to Intelsat EpicNG to speed up maritime broadband service

KVH Industries, a mobile satellite communications equipment and service provider, is preparing to offer broadband in early 2018 to commercial and private maritime customers through satellite fleet operator Intelsat’s EpicNG constellation.