Both Inmarsat and Viasat pitched the case for allowing Viasat's $7.3 billion purchase of Inmarsat in a pair of docket 22-153 filings Tuesday in response to FCC requests for more information. Viasat is interested in Inmarsat for its spectrum, satellite and terrestrial assets and the role Viasat can play in a global hybrid space and terrestrial network, Inmarsat told the agency. Inmarsat said the deal accelerates New Viasat's ability to offer global overage and lets it add L-band products and services. It said using Inmarsat satellites for base load capacity in low-usage areas lets it divert more power to areas of higher demand using higher-density, smaller-area beams. Viasat said given the years it takes to design, launch and bring into service new satellites, the purchase would benefit New Viasat far better than deployment of additional satellites, especially given the challenge of getting geostationary orbital slots that would let either company replicate the other's system. It said the deal would make New Viasat a strong competitor in providing in-flight connectivity. Viasat said the Inmarsat transaction would also let it be more competitive in narrowband connectivity areas such as mobile IoT and maritime and aviation safety communications. Viasat said the deal doesn't affect its plans for deploying its ViaSat-3 constellation. Both operators said the deal would mean New Viasat would spend less on buying third-party satellite capacity. The acquisition is expected to get regulatory approval (see 2111080038).
Close to 100 of SpaceX's Starlink terminals are now active in Iran, CEO Elon Musk tweeted Monday. He had indicated in September the company might try to provide unfettered internet access there (see 2209230062).
The launch of C-band replacement satellites SES-18 and -19 was expected this year but now is scheduled for sometime between March 6 and 12, SES said Friday in docket 18-122. The launch was delayed by a holdup from the original Northrop Grumman delivery and the priority of U.S. government launches, SES said. SES-18 and -19 should commence operations by April's end, it said. It said SES-21, launched in October, began service on Dec. 1 and services are being transitioned to it. SES-20 is on track to arrive at its orbital slot by month's end, and it will be an in-orbit spare. SES said it's about 68% of the way through phase two of the C-band relocation satellite transitions, with its installers having complete installation of blue bandpass filters at about 65% of the earth station locations associated with its satellites, it said. It said close to 100% of the antennas associated with its second-phase transition schedule have been installed.
The space application review process streamlining NPRM adopted 4-0 by the FCC this week (see 2212210054) raises the question of whether the agency should eliminate altogether its limits on non-geostationary orbit satellite systems. That question wasn't in the draft of the NPRM, according to our side-by-side comparison. The adopted NPRM released Thursday also asks about ways of avoiding some errors, omissions and inconsistencies in application filings, such as through more completeness and compliance checks in the initial application process -- language not in the draft. The adopted NPRM also adds language about possible ways of streamlining inter-bureau reviews of shared spectrum bands. It adds a series of questions about deadlines for satellite and earth station applications or making a determination about their filing acceptability, and about the use more broadly of shot clocks for action on some type of satellite or earth station applications.
MethaneSAT seeks FCC approval for a sole S-band non-geostationary orbit satellite designed to quantify global methane emissions, it said in an International Bureau application Monday.
AST SpaceMobile's satellite-provided mobile service will help expand FirstNet coverage in areas currently without it, AT&T Network President Chris Sambar said in a video released Tuesday by AST. Citing AST's planned direct-to-cell network, Sambar said, "What a terrific opportunity to be able to provide that to first responders as an augment to the FirstNet program." He said AT&T also anticipates using AST coverage to fill in gaps in its terrestrial wireless network.
Spectrum Five has until Jan. 19 to respond to an Intelsat claim it has evidence from the government of Papua New Guinea confirming that its Intelsat 30 and 31 satellites operate under an ITU filing by Papua New Guinea that has an earlier priority date than Spectrum Five's, filed by the Netherlands, the FCC Office of General Counsel said Tuesday (docket 20-399). Spectrum Five is seeking revocation of the Intelsat 30 and 31 satellite licenses (see 2012010057) and it sought an extension to reply.
SpaceX could start launching its second-generation Starlink satellites this month, the company told the FCC International Bureau Friday. It received partial approval from the agency of its second-gen constellation plans earlier this month (see 2212010052)
Defense contractor L3Harris is buying rocket propulsion system maker Aerojet Rocketdyne in a $4.7 billion deal, L3Harris said Sunday. L3Harris said the deal will make it more able to meet defense demand in areas such as advanced missile technologies and hypersonics.
Citing critics of its advocacy for sunsetting interference protections for earlier processing round satellite systems, SpaceX told the FCC International Bureau Monday in docket 21-456 those critics should come up with their own alternatives for encouraging coordination. It urged the FCC to release a Further NPRM focusing on routes for balancing between protecting existing systems and encouraging competition; that way the agency and sunsetting critics can weigh that idea against alternatives. New America's Open Technology Institute, recapping meetings with aides to Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks and bureau staff (see here and here), told the agency it's important to have a good faith coordination requirement among all non-geostationary orbit fixed satellite service operators regardless of processing round; otherwise early round operators lack an incentive to coordinate with later-round competitors. OTI said a sunset period that's not much longer than the buildout period, such as six years, would be a good way to fight spectrum hoarding.