Advanced Television

Mobile

Coordination problem for AST SpaceMobile

Officials from satellite company AST SpaceMobile met with FCC officials on December 14th 2023 over a potential problem with its frequency registrations. AST is building a super-constellation of satellites with the intention of supply a ‘direct-to-smartphone’ service. AT&T, Vodafone and Google are investors in the company. AST is using Papua New Guinea (PNG) as its […]

February 7, 2024

Concerns over AST SpaceMobile’s 5G obligations

The US Rural Wireless Association (RWA) on February 1st wrote to FCC Jessica Rosenworcel about AST SpaceMobile and the satellite operator’s commitment to provide “supplemental coverage from space” at a minimum of 35 Mb/s download (and just 3 Mb/s upload) for broadband. AST is also looking to receive cash from the US government’s 5G Fund […]

February 6, 2024By Chris Forrester

Gogo wins initial legal spat over 5G

In-Flight communications specialist Gogo Business Aviation has won an appeal held at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and which upheld an earlier verdict at the US District Court in Delaware and which involved denying SmartSky Networks’ motion for preliminary injunction against Gogo Business Aviation to keep it from selling its Gogo […]

February 2, 2024By Chris Forrester

Filing explains SpaceX’s Direct-2-Cell service

Chris Forrester There’s considerable interest in what various heavyweight suppliers might be doing in terms of Direct-2-Cell satellite telephony. Apple, Google, AST SpaceMobile and others, including SpaceX’s Starlink, are very busy in this area. A filing with the FCC from T-Mobile on January 18th (which is linked with Starlink) explains their intentions, and the practical […]

February 1, 2024By Chris Forrester

Virgin Media O2, Tesco Mobile renew JV

Virgin Media O2 and Tesco, owners of Tesco Mobile, have signed a 10-year renewal of their 50:50 joint venture. Two decades after it was first formed, Tesco Mobile has grown to be the UK’s largest mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), with more than 5.5 million customers. The renewal of the joint venture will ensure that […]

January 31, 2024

New 5G broadcasting experimental licences filed in US

XGen Network, in partnership with HC2 and EGOT Media, has filed for two new experimental 5G broadcast licences in the US with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This move is in collaboration with HC2 stations WTXX-LD as well as EGOT Media’s WYJH-LD, to join Milachi Media’s WWOO-LD in Boston for Phase Two Proof of Concept […]

January 30, 2024

Forecast: NZ telco, pay-TV services revenue to remain stagnant

The total telecom and pay-TV services revenue in New Zealand is poised to register a marginal compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.7 per cent between 2023 and 2028, with continued decline in mobile voice service revenue denting the overall growth prospects, despite considerable revenue growth in mobile data and fixed broadband segments, according to […]

January 29, 2024

Patent granted for “direct communications” to smartphones

The US Patent Office has granted a Patent covering ‘SATCOM GSM Solution Directly Communicate With GSM Phones’. The Patent was granted on November 14th 2023 to three inventors – Zhi Zhong Yu or Reading UK, Frederico Pedro Fawzi of Midland, Texas and Abel Avelian of Coral Gables, Florida. The Continuation Patent is assigned to AST […]

January 29, 2024By Chris Forrester

CMA probes Vodafone, Three merger

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into the proposed merger between Vodafone and Three. The UK’s competition watchdog will assess whether the deal could harm consumers by leading to reduced choice or higher prices. The investigation follows an October 2023 consultation which provided an early opportunity for interested third parties to […]

January 26, 2024

Study: US net subs favour fibre SPs

Parks Associates’ new consumer study, Home Internet Evolution: 5G Competition and Value-Added Services, finds that fibre and mobile services score the highest regarding consumer value perceptions of their Internet service, especially on cost. Sixty-six per cent of subscribers with a fixed wireless access (FWA) plan from a mobile provider – also known as 5G or […]

January 26, 2024