Advanced Television

Spectrum

FCC frequency auction passes $80bn

Five US frequency auction bidding sessions on January 7th raised $1 billion. The gross total in the FCC’s repository now stands at $80.51 billion (€65.7bn). Some smaller telcos can expect discounts on their bids so the eventual total will be less than the gross amount raised. There remain five more sessions on January 8th, with […]

January 8, 2021By Chris Forrester

More FCC auction cash for satellite operators?

The demand for the FCC’s allocation of new spectrum in its current Auction 107 has been staggering. The bids and the auction have resulted in the highest-ever payments being made for spectrum. More than $80 billion has already been tabled in gross payments, and the process fully enabled by the satellite industry freeing up their […]

January 8, 2021

Ofcom confirms spectrum auction bidders

UK comms regulator Ofcom has confirmed the companies set to take part in the upcoming spectrum auction. Ofcom is planning to release airwaves in the 700 MHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz bands through an auction. The frequency bands are likely to be used by mobile network operators to deliver a range of services, including 5G mobile. […]

January 7, 2021By Colin Mann

C-band auction adds another $2bn

If the bids registered on January 5th are a guide, then the 57 registered telcos are easing off their enthusiasm. Only $1.96 billion was entered in the five dedicated sessions for the FCC’s Auction 107. But this still took the overall gross total to a thumping $78.468 billion. Indeed, some outsiders are questioning as to […]

January 6, 2021By Chris Forrester

C-band auction tops $66bn

The FCC‘s auction (Auction 107) of C-band spectrum has reached $66.4 billion (€73.1bn) in its latest round after two weeks of bidding. This easily exceeds the former record of $45 billion raised during the AWS-3 auction held in 2015. Some reports suggest that the enthusiasm for spectrum from bidders could see extra ‘incentive’ cash going […]

December 23, 2020By Chris Forrester

SpaceX, OneWeb receive Australian spectrum

SpaceX and OneWeb, along with other satellite and telco operators, has been granted millimetre wave spectrum in Australia by the country’s media regulator. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued licences in the 26GHz and 28 GHz bands to SpaceX Starlink as well as OneWeb, New Skies Satellite/SES, O3b/SES, Inmarsat, Viasat, Telstra, Optus, […]

December 22, 2020By Chris Forrester

India to mount major spectrum auction

India’s cabinet has decided to proceed with an auction of spectrum in some key frequencies. The government will auction spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz terrestrial frequency bands. The spectrum licences will then be valid for 20 years. A total of 2251.25 MHz […]

December 18, 2020By Chris Forrester

SpaceX makes plea for spectrum efficiency

SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite system is calling for regulators not to license rival broadband would-be operators who do not recognise frequency sharing. David Goldman, director of satellite & spectrum policy at SpaceX, quoted by Space Intel Report, was speaking to delegates on a panel discussion organised by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Saudi Arabia’s Communications […]

December 15, 2020By Chris Forrester

FCC begins latest 5G spectrum auction

The Federal Communications Commission has kicked off its latest US 5G spectrum auction, making available 280 megahertz of prime mid-band spectrum in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band—a portion of the C-band. This is the FCC’s largest mid-band 5G spectrum auction to date. “This is a big day for American consumers and US leadership in 5G,” declared […]

December 8, 2020By Colin Mann

SES vs Intelsat C-band claim gets specific

Intelsat’s bankruptcy court on December 3rd said the dispute between SES Americom and Intelsat would go to trial next June. The news coincides with a 126-page filing to Intelsat’s court from SES which pulls no punches in its claims. At the heart of the legal dispute between SES and Intelsat is an argument over Intelsat’s […]

December 7, 2020By Chris Forrester