The original proposal was started by Intelsat, SES and Intel – making Eutelsat the newest addition to the group.
“We are pleased to be joining this proposal which aims to create fair conditions for the shared use of C-band with mobile operators in the U.S. while protecting the quality of services provided to our customers over the long term,” said Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of Eutelsat. “By joining this collaborative process, we will be able to advance our interests and those of our clients and contribute to the momentum of the initiative.”
The proposal was developed in response to a proceeding by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Contained within the proposal is a commercial and technical framework that would enable terrestrial mobile operators to quickly access spectrum in the 3,700 to 4,200MHz band in the US accelerating the deployment of next-gen 5G services.
In addition, the proposal specifies the use of a consortium open to all satellite operators delivering services in the C-band downlink frequencies in any part of the lower 48 United States. The consortium will oversee the governance of the initiative, define and implement the procedure for spectrum clearance, and serve as the single interface for market-based transactions with parties interested in deploying terrestrial mobile services in specific portions of the C-band.
“We are pleased to have Eutelsat join Intelsat and SES in this endeavour, demonstrating that the industry is able to unite, collaborate and fully implement our market-driven proposal,” said Stephen Spengler, CEO of Intelsat and Steve Collar, president and CEO of SES. “Our solution is the only one which will maintain the high quality of the hundreds of incumbent services operating in the C-band today, protect the significant investments in space and ground infrastructure delivering these crucial services while also supporting the US goal of accelerating the 5G era.”
With Eutelsat joining the initiative the three satellite operators will continue to work with the FCC, customers and other stakeholders on the proposal. The next phase of development will start with the FCC’s planned adoption of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking due to take place 12 July 2018.
