Advanced Television

FCC

Starcloud wants 88,000 satellites

Starcloud, a business based in Redmond, Washington state, and which is a firm believer in orbiting data centres, has filed an application with the FCC. On March 13th the FCC accepted the scheme. In essence, the application seeks to launch 88,000 orbiting satellites with an eye on expected growth of AI. “Starcloud is designing its […]

March 17, 2026

Amazon Leo meets FCC launch extension

Broadband satellite operator Amazon Leo has met the FCC to further discuss an “extension or waiver” to the FCC’s required obligation that Amazon Leo places at least 1,618 satellites (50 per cent of the planned total) to be in place by July 30th this year. The formal request was repeated to the FCC on March […]

March 16, 2026By Chris Forrester

SpaceX fearful of AST SpaceMobile’s potential?

A March 9th filing by SpaceX to the FCC – in effect – acknowledges the strength of AST SpaceMobile, especially in regard to AST’s European developments and its ‘Satellite Connect Europe’ partnership with Vodafone. SpaceX complains that AST is continuing to “wrap itself in the American flag” but as far as Europe is concerned it […]

March 11, 2026

Amazon Leo urges FCC to block Musk’s 1m satellite plan

Amazon Leo has filed a formal petition calling on the FCC to deny SpaceX’s 1 million-satellite proposal for orbiting data centres using the Sun to charge batteries and the cold of space to cool on-board processing. Amazon argues that the SpaceX 1 million satellite project would take “centuries” to deploy. Amazon Leo says: “Deploying the […]

March 9, 2026By Chris Forrester

FCC eyes freeing up Weird Space Stuff spectrum

The FCC is looking closely at certain satellite ‘guard bands’ which separate designated key frequencies in order to avoid unwanted interference. These bands are frequently used for TT&C, the jargon for Telemetry, Tracking and Command of satellites in orbit. The FCC issued one of its Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on March 5th asking stakeholders […]

March 9, 2026

SES happy with releasing 160MHz of spectrum for 5G

Satellite operator SES has, until recently, explained that it favoured just 100 MHz of C-band upper segment being cleared for the FCC to auction. The FCC is required to complete its competitive bidding auction process no later than July 2027 for at least 100 MHz. A ruling is expected from the FCC during the second-half […]

March 6, 2026

FCC seeks fair play over foreign satellite access

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr says that the US has always welcomed foreign satellite operators in its market. But that welcome could change. The FCC has issued a Public Notice discussion paper and seeking comments on the state of “satellite reciprocity and fair treatment for our operators”. Comments are due by April 1st. […]

March 3, 2026

NAB vs CTIA on C-band release

The satellite industry, in particular SES (and its Intelsat subsidiary) and Eutelsat, is keen to see the next slice of C-band satellite spectrum auctioned off for use by US telcos and in particular 5G and expansion into 6G. SES would be happy to reversion 100 MHz – for a fee – and the FCC is […]

February 25, 2026

BCNEXXT positions broadcasters to unlock new revenue opportunities

As the FCC explores a potential clawback of Upper C-Band spectrum currently used for broadcast distribution, BCNEXXT is working with broadcasters and operators to outline transition strategies and evaluate IP-based alternatives to satellite distribution. BCNEXXT has outlined transition frameworks to support broadcasters as they assess the operational, architectural, and economic impacts of a potential reduction […]

February 12, 2026

Amazon Leo gets approval for 4,504 extra satellites

The Amazon Leo satellite constellation, which is already permitted to launch more than 4,000 satellites into low Earth orbit (and is due to see 32 launched in addition to its existing roster on February 12th) has received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) permisssion to expand its fleet. The FCC move is for Amazon Leo’s ‘second generation’ […]

February 11, 2026