U.S.-specific proposal would protect C-band video and data
transmissions and support accelerated 5G rollout by mobile operators
LUXEMBOURG & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2018--
Leading satellite companies Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) and SES S.A.
(Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) today announced
alignment on a proposal to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) which seeks to protect the wide array of established satellite
services in the 3700-4200 MHz C-band downlink spectrum while opening a
specified portion of that spectrum for terrestrial mobile use.
The joint proposal, which was developed in response to the unique U.S.
telecommunications environment, aims to protect the quality and
reliability of the extensive services provided by satellite operators in
C-band to U.S. broadcasters, media and data companies. The proposal
ensures the continued seamless distribution of video and audio
programming to more than 100 million U.S. households, and the reliable
provision of critical data connectivity in rural areas and emergency
situations, as well as services delivered to the U.S. government.
The proposal, which builds on an innovative model first put forward to
the FCC by Intelsat and Intel Corporation in October 2017, sets a
commercial and technical framework that would enable wireless operators
to quickly access approximately 100 MHz of nationwide C-band downlink
spectrum in the United States, speeding the deployment of
next-generation 5G services.
The proposal specifies the creation of a consortium, which would be open
to all satellite operators delivering services in the C-band downlink
frequencies in any part of the lower 48 United States. The consortium
would 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. SES and
Intelsat have begun briefing the FCC on this proposal.
Karim Michel Sabbagh, President and CEO of SES, said, “The C-band is and
remains a critical component of the U.S. network architecture. Space and
ground segment operators have invested billions of dollars in U.S.
C-band networks and connectivity and generate important value out of it.
It is therefore our duty and mission to protect the C-band in the U.S.
from any form of disruption and preserve its use. The C-band satellite
consortium is to be set up to ensure that the expansion of the C-band
ecosystem in the U.S. will protect the interests of hundreds of
established services and millions of American end-users, while at the
same time paving the way for the creation of next-generation 5G
terrestrial services.”
Peter Pitsch, Associate General Counsel, Intel, said, “Intel's goal
remains to facilitate timely access to high quality terrestrial 5G
services. We welcome the announcement of the alignment of Intelsat and
SES on significant details of the proposal, and plan to continue to
support this market-based approach, which we believe paves the way for
the accelerated deployment of 5G in the U.S., creating new experiences
in every part of our lives – from smart cars to rich entertainment.”
Intelsat CEO Stephen Spengler said, “Our priority continues to be
creating a framework that provides certainty and protects the quality
and reliability of the services we provide to our media, network
services and government customers. Our proposed market-based solution
provides a speedy resolution to the U.S. objective of accelerating
deployment of 5G services. With Intelsat and SES now in agreement on
major tenets of the framework and with the support of Intel, we are
confident in our ability to implement this proposal quickly and
efficiently, ultimately to the benefit of American consumers and the
U.S. economy.”
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 12 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 (ticker: SESG). Further information available
at: www.ses.com
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180208006562/en/
Source: Intelsat and SES S.A.
Intelsat
Dianne VanBeber
Vice President, Investor Relations
+1-703-559-7406
(O)
+1-703-627-5100 (M)
Dianne.vanbeber@intelsat.com
or
SES
S.A.
Markus Payer
Corporate Communications & PR
+352
710 725 500
Markus.Payer@ses.com
or
Intel
Corporation
Lisa Malloy
Senior Director, Government Relations
+1
202-270-7600
lisa.malloy@intel.com