If SES’s proposed acquisition of Intelsat closes successfully then the resulting entity will have a sizeable geostationary constellation of 100 satellites, as well as 26 medium orbit satellites. However, these stalwarts of the industry still need to weigh up their low-earth orbit strategy. Read more...

With the re-merger of EchoStar and US-based DISH Networks, EchoStar is now a licensed operator of terrestrial and fixed and mobile satellite service networks, commanding a large pool of mobile and satellite spectrum. In addition to its GEO satellite fleet, with a new satellite launched in June 2023, EchoStar is… Read more...

Telesat operates a GEO satellite fleet and plans to launch a LEO fleet in mid-2026, with the launch of commercial services planned in 2027. The LEO Lightspeed program has faced several delays although it now appears to be back on track. Ka-band spectrum is of particular importance to both Telesat’s… Read more...

SpaceX’s Starlink continues its aggressive LEO fleet expansion with over 6,000 operational satellites in orbit, over 3 million subscribers and a presence in 99 countries, with the list of national authorisations to provide services continuing to grow. SpaceX urges regulators to preserve satellite access to established Ku- and Ka-band frequencies… Read more...

Amazon’s Project Kuiper LEO satellite constellation is authorised to use Ka-band spectrum and the protection and preservation of the 28 GHz band for satellite services is a priority for Amazon. The first two Kuiper prototype satellites launched in October 2023 and Amazon expects to provide services to its first customers… Read more...

While all of the vendors profiled in 2024 recognise the continued importance of both low-band and mmWave spectrum for both 5G and 6G, their clear focus is repurposing existing low mid-band spectrum and the release of new licensed spectrum in frequency ranges above 7 GHz. The greatest disparity in vendor… Read more...

Qualcomm argues that fully cleared, exclusively licensed spectrum remains the top priority for the wireless industry to support the continued rapid rollout of 5G and 6G. At the same time, Qualcomm considers that unlicensed spectrum plays an important role in Wi-Fi operations in homes and businesses. It stresses the need… Read more...

Having recently delayed its planned 26 GHz and 40 GHz auction, UK regulator Ofcom remains focused on private spectrum access and developing a "hybrid sharing" solution for the upper 6 GHz band. Read more...

Canada typically auctions licensed spectrum on a regional basis, most recently in the November 2023 award of spectrum in the 3.8 GHz range. It has opened the full 6 GHz band for unlicensed use and is implementing a non-competitive licensing (NCL) framework across several bands in support of localised private… Read more...

Brazil typically licences auctioned spectrum on a regional basis and has identified multiple spectrum bands for use by private networks. Most recently, regulator Anatel has earmarked 4.9 GHz for 5G and is developing its assignment approaches for reclaimed 700 MHz spectrum and unsold spectrum. The regulator is also consulting on… Read more...