Agreement furthers the U.S.-specific proposal which would protect
C-band video and data transmissions and support accelerated 5G rollout
by mobile operators
LUXEMBOURG & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 12, 2018--
Leading global satellite operators Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), SES
(Euronext Paris: SESG) and Eutelsat (Euronext Paris: ETL) announced
today that they are aligned on a market-based proposal for the future
use of the lower C-band spectrum in the U.S. Eutelsat has agreed to join
the breakthrough proposal initiated by Intelsat, Intel and SES.
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Satellite Leaders Combine Forces for U.S. C-band Spectrum Proposal (Graphic: Business Wire)
The market-based proposal was developed in response to a proceeding
initiated by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 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 the 3,700 to 4,200 MHz frequency
band in the U.S., speeding the deployment of next-generation 5G services.
C-band spectrum plays an essential role in the U.S. broadcasting
ecosystem, delivering seamless distribution of video and audio
programming to more than 100 million U.S. households, and reliably
providing critical data connectivity in rural areas and emergency
situations, as well as services delivered to the U.S. government.
The proposal specifies the use of a consortium, which is 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
methodology for spectrum clearance, and serve as the sole interface for
market-based transactions with parties interested in deploying
terrestrial mobile services in specific portions of the C-band.
With Eutelsat joining the proposal, the three satellite operators will
continue to work with customers, other stakeholders, and the FCC on the
market-based proposal. The next phase of this effort will begin with the
FCC’s planned adoption of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Thursday,
July 12. Intelsat, SES, and Eutelsat together represent a very
substantial majority of the relevant satellite C-band spectrum in use in
the U.S.
“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.”
In a joint statement, Intelsat CEO Stephen Spengler and SES President
and CEO Steve Collar said: “We are pleased to have Eutelsat join
Intelsat and SES in this endeavor, demonstrating that the industry is
able to unite, collaborate and fully implement our market-driven
proposal. 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 U.S. goal of accelerating the 5G era.”
About Intelsat
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network,
delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services
anywhere in the world. Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the
world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure,
managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable
customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network
services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people
worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity,
multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and
seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one
that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries
and transform the ways in which we live. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.
About SES
SES is the world-leading satellite operator and the first to deliver a
differentiated and scalable GEO-MEO offering worldwide, with more than
50 satellites in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and 16 in Medium Earth
Orbit (MEO). SES focuses on value-added, end-to-end solutions in two key
business units: SES Video and SES Networks. The company provides
satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet
service providers, mobile and fixed network operators, governments and
institutions. SES’s portfolio includes ASTRA, O3b and MX1, a leading
media service provider that offers a full suite of innovative digital
video and media services. SES is listed on the Euronext Paris and
Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information available at: www.ses.com
About Eutelsat Communications
Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world's leading
satellite operators. With a global fleet of satellites and associated
ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables clients across Video, Data,
Government, Fixed and Mobile Broadband markets to communicate
effectively to their customers, irrespective of their location. Over
6,800 television channels operated by leading media groups are broadcast
by Eutelsat to one billion viewers equipped for DTH reception or
connected to terrestrial networks. Headquartered in Paris, with offices
and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat assembles 1,000 men and women
from 46 countries who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of
service.
Eutelsat Communications is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange
(ticker: ETL).
For more about Eutelsat go to www.eutelsat.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180712005162/en/
Source: Intelsat
Intelsat
Dianne VanBeber
Vice President Investor Relations
+1
703 559 7406 (o)
+1 703 627 5100 (m)
Dianne.VanBeber@intelsat.com
or
SES
Markus
Payer
Corporate Communications & PR
+352 710 725 500
Markus.Payer@ses.com
or
Eutelsat
Communications
Press
Marie-Sophie Ecuer, + 33 1 53 98 37 91
mecuer@eutelsat.com
or
Christina
Darvasi, +52 55 26 29 58 47
cdarvasi@eutelsat.com
or
Investors
Joanna
Darlington, +33 1 53 98 35 30
jdarlington@eutelsat.com
or
Cédric
Pugni, +33 1 53 98 35 30
cpugni@eutelsat.com