Telesat close to completing Lightspeed funding

Telesat is close to securing all the funds it needs for Lightspeed, after the Canadian government said it would inject more than a billion dollars into the low Earth orbit constellation.

Ontario’s government invests in Lightspeed constellation

Telesat has struck a deal with Ontario’s government to partly fund its Lightspeed constellation, which will dedicate some of its satellite capacity to improving connectivity in the Canadian province.

U.K. to strengthen regulations for Starlink, OneWeb and other NGSO constellations

British telecoms regulator Ofcom is proposing rule changes that would affect Starlink, OneWeb and other satellite constellations operating in non-geostationary orbits (NGSO).

Telesat unlikely to get a C-band windfall for Lightspeed network

Canada’s decision to hold a public auction of C-band spectrum means it is unlikely to be a major funding source for Telesat’s $5 billion Lightspeed satellite constellation.

Telesat ready to move fast on selling spectrum to fund Lightspeed constellation

Telesat could start a spectrum auction to help fund its $5 billion Lightspeed low Earth orbit constellation “in a couple of months” if Canada’s government approves its proposal, according to CEO Dan Goldberg.

Telesat raising $500 million in debt for Lightspeed broadband network

Canadian satellite operator Telesat plans to raise $500 million with a bond to help fund its $5 billion Lightspeed broadband constellation.

Telesat completing financing for Lightspeed constellation

Telesat expects to finalize the financing for its Lightspeed broadband constellation in the next few months, along with contracts to launch the fleet of nearly 300 satellites.

Quebec invests in Telesat Lightspeed constellation

The Quebec government will invest 400 million Canadian dollars ($315.5 million) in Telesat’s Lightspeed low-Earth orbit communications network and MDA will produce the constellation’s phased array antennas.

Telesat and Loral to form Canadian public company

Canadian satellite fleet operator Telesat and Loral Space & Communications announced plans Nov. 24 to combine to form Telesat Corp., a Canadian public company, in a deal expected to close next year.

Telesat to announce satellite, launch contracts by year’s end

Canadian satellite fleet operator Telesat is in advanced discussions with vendors seeking to build and launch satellites for its multibillion dollar Telesat LEO constellation.

Telesat wins DARPA contract to manufacture satellite buses for Blackjack program

Telesat won a $18.3 million DARPA contract to produce two satellite buses for the Blackjack low-Earth orbit constellation.

Space Development Agency praised as change agent in Pentagon procurement

SDA's contracting process has impressed industry executives.

Hughes views OneWeb stake as key to FCC broadband subsidies

Hughes Network Systems believes it has a chance at winning some of the $20.4 billion in rural broadband subsidies the U.S. Federal Communications Commission is preparing to spend, thanks to the company’s recent investment in megaconstellation startup OneWeb. 

Maxar backs away from Telesat LEO competition

Maxar Technologies no longer expects, at least initially, to win any manufacturing contracts for Telesat’s future broadband megaconstellation of 300 satellites. 

LEO constellations still held to high bar in FCC rural broadband subsidy program

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission remains unconvinced that low Earth orbit satellite internet constellations are worth subsidizing through its $16 billion rural broadband program despite tweaking the rules for that program to give LEO constellations a better chance to qualify for funding. 

Telesat preparing for mid-2020 constellation manufacturer selection 

Telesat says enabling technologies for its low-Earth-orbit constellation of 298 internet satellites are now mature enough for the operator to select a prime contractor in the next few months. 

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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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.