Gogo pursuing satellite contract changes as coronavirus dampens demand

Gogo CEO Oakleigh Thorne said the coronavirus pandemic is partly behind the company’s cost-saving efforts, since decreased airline traffic has had a knock-on effect on demand for passenger Wi-Fi. 

Satellite operators hint at fear of SpaceX, Blue Origin becoming competitors

Executives from SES and Eutelsat said they are watching as SpaceX deploys its own Starlink constellation of broadband satellites, which could make SpaceX one of their competitors. 

FCC’s $9.7 billion C-band incentive hinging on Intelsat and SES participation 

WASHINGTON — The FCC says it will scrap a $9.7 billion spectrum clearing incentive package approved last week if Intelsat and SES don’t both agree to the terms. 

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SES mulls external investments for O3b, Networks business

Satellite operator SES may separate its growing Networks business, which includes O3b, from its slowing video business to spur outside investment. 

Telesat sides with SES against Intelsat’s request for more C-band money

Telesat and SES are urging the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to reject Intelsat’s request for a larger share of the $9.7 billion in incentive payments the FCC plans to offer satellite operators to hasten the clearing of C-band spectrum the United States wants to repurpose for 5G cellular networks.

SES and Eutelsat make their own cases for more C-band money

SES has started its own campaign for more money, arguing that “undisputed facts conclusively show that Intelsat and SES deserve equal shares of any accelerated relocation payments.”

Intelsat to FCC: C-Band Alliance is dead, we deserve more money

Intelsat on Feb. 19 urged the FCC to give the company at least $1 billion more of $9.7 billion in proposed compensation for clearing C-band spectrum for 5G networks and to treat the C-Band Alliance Intelsat formed with rivals SES and Telesat as essentially dead. 

FCC sets December C-band auction, offers up to $14.7 billion for satellite operators

Intelsat, SES and other satellite operators could receive up to $14.7 billion to cover the cost of losing C-band spectrum and to expedite transitioning those airwaves to 5G cellular networks. 

C-Band Alliance pegs satellite spectrum clearing costs at $3.3 billion

The C-Band Alliance said it will cost Intelsat, SES and Telesat $3.3 billion to clear 300 megahertz of C-band spectrum for U.S. 5G wireless networks without leaving satellite-dependent television broadcasters in a lurch. 

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. 

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.

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. 

4.1 billion people online • Iridium completes $1.45 billion refinancing • SES exec to chair Space Data Association

An estimated 53.6% of the world’s population now has access to the internet, according to a new report from the International Telecommunication Union.

House lawmakers, with legislation in tow, push for public C-band auction

More than half a dozen House lawmakers said Oct. 29 the FCC, not the satellite industry, should conduct an upcoming auction to transfer C-band spectrum to the 5G wireless industry.

SES video revenue continues to slide, cloud services now company-wide strategy

Fleet operator SES is adding cloud services to its data and broadcast businesses while acknowledging that broadcast revenue has been shrinking faster than data is growing.