A white paper from satellite operator AsiaSat argues that C-band is not the correct band to support the key performance indicators (#KPI) promised by 5G. In the white paper – titled Choosing the Right Spectrum for 5G – Hai Hu, Senior Communications Systems Engineer, AsiaSat, notes that higher data rates, ultra-low latency and massive machine-type […]
Satellite operator SES is clearing a portion of its C-band spectrum in an “accelerated” manner in accordance with the FCC’s timeline and Order published on April 23rd. SES will file the election later today (May 26th) – ahead of the key May 29th FCC deadline. “Accelerated clearing, including the migration of existing customers, is an […]
Intelsat, despite its bankruptcy process, has launched CellBackhaul over the US for 4G and 5G mobile network operators. This is good news for the company and users as it will help provide coverage to the rural and suburban regions of the US with little or no access to mobile broadband. Intelsat says it is providing […]
Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit rocket launching aircraft made its inaugural flight on May 25th (at 11.56 Pacific Time). All went well with the actual aircraft (Cosmic Girl) but the adapted Boeing 747’s rocket failed moments after deployment from the aircraft. The rocket did ignite its first stage for a few seconds and observers suggest that […]
OneWeb, despite its bankruptcy, wants to pay special incentive bonuses to its few remaining staff in order to hold onto their skills during and perhaps beyond the bankruptcy process. But the US Trustee is objecting strongly. In a filing to the Court the Trustee reminds Judge Robert Drain that OneWeb paid out “large bonuses…shortly before […]
Northern Sky Research (NSR), in its latest edition of its In-Orbit Servicing study. forecasts that 533 satellites could be candidates for in-orbit servicing including life extension, relocation, de-orbiting, salvage and robotic involvement. This new industry – the very first in-orbit ‘rescue’ took place earlier this year – will be helped by new FCC rules which […]
OneWeb, now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, has asked the court handling the process to permit incentive payments to retained staff of up to $8.8 million in order to hold onto those key workers during the bankruptcy process. OneWeb slashed its workforce from 531 to just 74 a few days ahead of the bankruptcy, and […]
Arianespace and the European Space Agency (ESA) say that its plans for the debut flight of the all-new Ariane 6 launch rocket have slipped into 2021. Ariane 6 is the long-awaited replacement for the aging Ariane 5 rocket, and planned to be a valid financial competitor to SpaceX. The pre-virus expectation was that the maiden […]
In its latest research, Euroconsult projects that the previously growing maritime connectivity market will experience a significant setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Maritime VSAT connectivity reached an all-time high of 28,200 connected vessels at the end of 2019 but because of the current health crisis, the previous projection of 49,300 terminals by 2023 has […]
London-based satellite operator Avanti Communications is supplying capacity on its Hylas 4 craft to Niger. An Avanti statement said: “As the world seeks to stay connected from behind closed doors, satellite connectivity is playing an important role in guaranteeing secure and reliable communication for government bodies, first aid responders and health organisations.” “Using Hylas 4 […]