Page 63 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

SES Touts American Companies for C-Band Satellite Work

SES has selected U.S.-based United television to nearly 120 million American timeline for the accelerated clearing of
Launch Alliance (ULA) to launch two TV homes and other critical data services. C-band spectrum." "We are pleased SES
C-band satellites. This launch is part ULA will launch the two C-band satellites selected ULA and our proven Atlas V for
of the company's accelerated C-band manufactured by Boeing. SES is investing this important commercial launch service,"
clearing plan to meet the Federal in America through its C-band transition said Tory Bruno, ULA's president and CEO.
Communications Commission's objectives plan and its work with large and small "Atlas V is known for its unmatched level of
to roll out 5G services in the United businesses across the country and its schedule certainty and reliability and this
States. ULA's Atlas V rocket will launch selection of Atlas V, an American launch launch is critical to the timely clearing of
from Cape Canaveral, Florida in 2022 and vehicle launched from the American soil C-band spectrum, empowering America's
carry the two stacked satellites. Earlier underlines that commitment. "Clearing accelerated implementation of 5G. ULA's
this year, SES contracted with American mid-band spectrum expeditiously while legacy of performance, precision and
companies Northrop Grumman and the protecting cable neighborhoods across mission design flexibility allow us to deliver
Boeing Company to deliver four C-band America is a huge undertaking and one a tailored launch service that minimizes
satellites. These satellites will enable SES that requires partners that can deliver orbit raising time and perfectly meet our
to clear 280MHz of mid-band spectrum mission success and schedule assurance," customer's requirements. We are thrilled
for 5G use while seamlessly migrating said Steve Collar, CEO at SES. "We are to provide this optimized launch solution
SES's existing C-band customers and thrilled to be working with ULA again and to SES for this crucial launch."
ensuring the continued delivery of digital partnering to meet the FCC's ambitious

SCT, Dunes Middle East Sign MoU to Provide Satellite, VSAT Services

Amazon.com said that it will invest more the coming years, has said the Starlink 5-0 vote, requires Amazon to launch half
than US$10 billion to build a network of constellation will cost the company of its satellites no later than mid-2026
3,236 satellites that will provide high- roughly $10 billion. While extremely costly and build out the rest of the constellation
speed broadband internet services to to deploy, satellite technology can provide by mid-2029. Amazon said that it would
people around the world who lack such high-speed Internet for people who live begin to offer broadband service once 578
access. The announcement follows the in rural or hard-to-serve places where satellites are launched. It had 110 open
Federal Communications Commission’s fiber-optic cables and cell towers do not positions for its “Project Kuiper” posted on
approval of the plan, called “Project reach. The technology could also be a its website on Thursday. The satellites will
Kuiper,” for the constellation of low-Earth critical backstop when hurricanes or other be designed and tested at a new research
orbit (LEO) satellites that will compete natural disasters disrupts communication. and development facility opening in
with the Starlink network being built out The FCC authorization, adopted with a Redmond, Washington.
by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. It also comes on
the heels of Amazon posting its biggest
profit in its 26-year history. “A project of
this scale requires significant effort and
resources, and, due to the nature of LEO
constellations, it is not the kind of initiative
that can start small. You have to commit,”
the company said in a blog post. The
project will also benefit wireless carriers
deploying 5G and other wireless service to
new regions, Amazon said. By comparison,
SpaceX has launched more than 500
satellites of the roughly 12,000 expected
for its Starlink constellation in low-Earth
orbit and plans to offer broadband service
in the US and Canada by the year’s end.
The FCC approved SpaceX’s request
in 2018. SpaceX President Gwynne
Shotwell, who in February floated the
idea of spinning Starlink off for an IPO in

63 AUGUST 2020