1 October 2018
Leading global satellite operators – Intelsat (NYSE: I), SES (Euronext Paris: SESG), Eutelsat (Euronext Paris: ETL) and Telesat announced today the creation of a consortium called the C-Band Alliance, or CBA, in a move that could accelerate making mid ‐ band spectrum available for 5G services.
The CBA is designed to act as a facilitator as described in a recent U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceeding featuring the companies’ market-based proposal to clear a portion of C-band spectrum in the United States. The formation of the CBA is a significant achievement and demonstrates the industry alignment necessary to make this mid-band spectrum available quickly, thus supporting the U.S. objective of winning the race to introduce terrestrial 5G services.
The market-based proposal was developed in response to a proceeding initiated by the FCC in August 2017, which led to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that was formally approved by the FCC on July 12, 2018 and published in the Federal Register of August 30, 2018. The proposal reflects the unique U.S. telecommunications environment and aims to protect the quality and reliability of the extensive services provided by satellite operators in the C-band spectrum to U.S. broadcasters, media, and data companies. The proposal establishes a commercial and technical framework that would enable terrestrial mobile operators to quickly access spectrum in a portion of the 3,700 to 4,200 MHz frequency band in the U.S., speeding the deployment of next-generation 5G services.
The proposal specifies the use of a consortium, now known as the CBA, to undertake the technical and commercial implementation of the spectrum clearing process. This process is necessary to repurpose the C-band spectrum for use in a 5G environment. The CBA will be led, effective immediately, by Bill Tolpegin, currently CEO of OTA Broadcasting, who will serve as Chief Executive Officer of CBA. Media sector veteran Preston Padden will serve as Head of Advocacy and Government Relations
A significant milestone in the progression of the proposal, the establishment of the CBA signifies that the satellite operators delivering the vast majority of satellite C-band services in the U.S. have agreed upon the key technical and commercial steps necessary to enable commercial implementation of the spectrum clearing process. The CBA also ensures that customer services are protected from potential interference as new wireless services are introduced into the cleared portion of the spectrum.
(Source: Eutelsat press release)
22 May 2017
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), operator of the world’s first Globalized Network and leader in integrated satellite communications, announced that Globecast signed a multi-year agreement with the company to distribute the English version of TRT World in high definition format to cable outlets in Asia and the Americas via the Intelsat 20 and Intelsat 21 satellites using IntelsatOne® terrestrial fiber and teleport services.
Globecast is expanding its longstanding relationship with Intelsat to distribute TRT World content to Asia and Latin America on Intelsat’s highly penetrated video neighborhoods. Intelsat 20, located at 68.5 East degrees, is the leading distribution and Direct-to-Home distribution platform serving Africa and the Indian Ocean region. Intelsat 21, located at 302 degrees East, is one of four satellites comprising Intelsat’s powerful video neighborhoods serving the Latin America region.
“It is our goal to provide our customers with efficient distribution into new growth markets around the world. Intelsat’s globalized network, and its highly penetrated video neighborhoods, provide maximum viewers for our content owners,” said Philippe Bernard, CEO at Globecast.
Deputy Director General of TRT Ibrahim Eren stated that it is important for TRT World to be available on Intelsat 20 and 21. “Intelsat is renowned for its advanced fleet of satellites and overall expertise in the business. Through their help, coupled with sophisticated technology from Globecast, we’re delighted to expand TRT World to millions of viewers across the Americas and Asia.”
“A valued partner, Globecast’s relationship with Intelsat spans many years and many continents,” said Rhys Morgan, Intelsat’s Managing Director, Europe. “We continue to invest in our media neighborhoods to ensure that we can support the growth of customers, such as Globecast and TRT World, who distribute new high definition programming around the world. We welcome TRT World to the Intelsat network and the nearly 5,000 channels we deliver globally.”
Supporting Resources:
(Source: Intelsat press release)
14 February 2017
Third satellite in the Intelsat EpicNG High-Throughput fleet, now with unmatched resilience over one of the world’s most trafficked routes
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), operator of the world’s first Globalized Network, powered by its leading satellite backbone, today announced the successful launch of the Intelsat 32e satellite aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from French Guiana. Liftoff occurred at 16:39 EST. The satellite separated from the rocket’s lower stage at 17:06 EST and signal acquisition has been confirmed.
Intelsat 32e is designed to overlay certain beams of Intelsat 29e, the company’s first Intelsat EpicNG spacecraft, increasing the throughput available in the highly-trafficked Caribbean and North Atlantic routes and providing resiliency for mobility network service providers servicing those shipping and air routes. The satellite is located at 317º East.
“This is the first of three Intelsat EpicNG satellite launches planned for 2017 as we continue to deploy our high-performance overlay on the world’s first Globalized Network. With the addition of Intelsat 32e, Intelsat is now the only satellite operator with HTS resiliency over the world’s busiest air route,” said Stephen Spengler, Chief Executive Officer, Intelsat. “Intelsat 32e also increases our capabilities to support the growth of our maritime customers in the Caribbean and the Atlantic, such as the exclusive use of our services for broadband to most of the world’s largest cruise ships sailing the Caribbean right now.”
The Intelsat EpicNG design reflects the company’s innovative approach to introducing high-throughput technology to the world’s largest community of commercial-grade satellite networks which operate on the Intelsat fleet. The design optimizes performance at the user level, providing unmatched signal efficiency and a high-speed return link perfect for uploading user-created videos to the web or back to the home office. Intelsat EpicNG is backwards compatible and fully interoperable with Intelsat’s existing satellite fleet and terrestrial infrastructure, allowing customers to use currently deployed network hardware to access the high performance connectivity. The platform’s open architecture allows customers to have control over service offerings and hardware selection, providing differentiation of service offerings.
Intelsat’s next planned launch is Intelsat 35e, scheduled aboard a SpaceX Falcon flight in the second quarter of 2017.
Supporting Resources:
(Source: Intelsat press release)
15 November 2016
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), operator of the world’s first Globalized Network, powered by its leading satellite backbone, tonight was named “Satellite Operator of the Year” during the 2016 Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) presents BroadcastPro Selevision Awards. The result was announced during a ceremony in Dubai.
Nominees were judged by a panel of experts across the MENA region on their work toward improving communications in the Middle East and North Africa and the lives of the people living there. Intelsat, as well as other operators in the region, enable voice communication, provide Internet access to fiber-lacking areas and give access to education or healthcare to those in remote locations.
“This award recognizes Intelsat’s continuing leadership as the innovator in space-based communications. In 2016, Intelsat delivered on the promise of high throughput satellite (HTS) technology when it launched the first two satellites in the Intelsat EpicNG network, providing immediate benefits to users,” said Shahrokh Khanzadeh-Amiri, Managing Director, MENA, Intelsat. “The launches established Intelsat as the first operator to implement a backward-compatible, open architecture HTS platform. Intelsat EpicNG will support the growth of telecom operators, service providers and media organizations with higher performance, improved economics and simplified access.”
Intelsat has also continued to give communities access to affordable, high-quality and reliable television/video programming. Intelsat 36, which has now entered service, bolsters the penetration of high definition programming for viewers in the broader Middle East and Africa regions.
The ASBU presents BroadcastPro Selevision Awards cover a broad range of categories to reward excellence in various fields across the broadcast workflow, from production and post-production to traditional broadcast and new media platforms.
(Source: Intelsat press release)
24 October 2016
Intelsat (NYSE: I), operator of the world’s first Globalized Network, powered by its leading satellite backbone, today announced a contract with Nine Network Australia to distribute programming to the company’s six domestic television stations as well as provide global satellite and fiber connectivity using the IntelsatOne terrestrial network to bring news content and special events from around the world to Australia for its network affiliates.
Nine Network Australia (NNA) is one of the country’s top-rated commercial television networks, with local stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin, along with a regional broadcaster, NBN. The network also has news bureaus in Canberra, London and Los Angeles. NNA is a subsidiary of Nine Entertainment Co., one of Australia’s leading media companies.
Intelsat initially is providing services via the Australia/New Zealand Ku-Band beam on Intelsat 19 for the network’s broadcasting requirement. Under the agreement, Intelsat’s network support will extend well into the next decade.
“Our Globalized Network allows us to meet NNA’s needs today and to increase our level of support if the network expands over time to meet the demands of multi-platform coverage,” said Terry Bleakley, Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific Sales, Intelsat. “NNA will also benefit from Intelsat’s global coverage for international contribution and distribution requirements.”
NNA previously used Intelsat for its domestic and international occasional use requirements. Most recently, NNA chose Intelsat to provide short-term services for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro using Intelsat 29e.
(Source: Intelsat press release)
