SÃO PAULO—TVU Networks and DTV Innovations have formed a strategic technology integration aimed at giving broadcasters an efficient and scalable alternative to traditional satellite distribution and are showcasing their solution here at SET Expo 2026, Aug. 17-20, at Distrito Anhembi.

The solution directly responds to an industry-wide demand for modernized, highly efficient IP distribution architectures.

In March 2026, TVU Networks announced a partnership with Reuters to execute a phased migration from satellite to a cloud-native, IP-based live news distribution model powered by TVU MediaHub and TVU NOC.

The TVU and DTV Innovations integration extends this same cloud-first methodology to the receiver edge, traditionally the segment most dependent on fixed hardware and satellite infrastructure.

The integration aligns directly with TVU's ongoing strategic push to establish IP as the primary broadcast distribution architecture. The FCC’s recent vote to recover 160 MHz of additional C-band spectrum for 5G/6G use has accelerated broadcast strategies toward resilient, redundant, cloud-based IP distribution models delivering operational savings.

The joint architecture seamlessly bridges key points across the signal distribution workflow, including edge reception and conversion, native ecosystem integration and cloud-based routing and multi-point delivery.

DTV Innovations provides professional receiver hardware deployed at affiliate stations, regional broadcasters or remote sites. A dedicated Software Development Kit (SDK) supporting TVU's proprietary ISX protocol is embedded directly into DTV Innovations decoders. Signals are fed into TVU MediaHub, TVU's cloud routing platform, enabling flexible point-to-multipoint distribution from a single source to multiple destinations at the same time.

The joint architecture eliminates reliance on legacy routing hardware, enables broadcasters to scale receiver endpoints dynamically, and reduces transport and operating costs.

See TVU Networks and DTV Innovations in the CIS Group SET Expo booth, number 38A.

More information is available on the TVU Networks, DTV Innovations and CIS Group websites.

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission has adopted rules to auction 160 megahertz of spectrum in the upper C-band (3.98-4.14 GHz) by July 2027.

During the July Open Meeting when the Report & Order was adopted FCC Chair Brendan Carr said that the agency is now “on track to complete an auction in less than twelve months from now.”

Speaking at the July meeting, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said "our decision today sets the stage for the FCC to run an auction of prime, mid-band spectrum next year—exceeding the 100 megahertz minimum established in the law. The lower C-band, which the FCC freed up during the previous Trump Administration, brought 5G, fixed wireless, and other innovations to countless Americans. Now, in auctioning the Upper C-Band that sits next door, we will unify the two bands to create an enormous landmass of 440 megahertz of mid-band spectrum."

"Freeing up this spectrum drives down prices, raises speeds, and enhances competition," he said. "Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, America will once again lead the world in wireless. The One Big Beautiful Bill made certain that we will put this prime, mid-band spectrum to its best use through another major FCC auction."

The idea of auctioning more C-band spectrum had been opposed by the NAB and broadcasters and is likely to usher in a period of rapid technological shift from satellites using C-band spectrum to deliver content to solutions relying on IP distribution.

In June, North American Broadcast Association director-general Rebecca Hanson told TV Tech complained “[t[here are no viable alternatives that match what C-band delivers.”

As previously reported by TV Tech’s Fred Dawson, Hanson also stressed that “[w]e have members already suffering after the first auction,” citing evidence submitted in an FCC filing by the North American Spectrum Alliance, an independent project launched last year under NABA management. “I hesitate to say broadcasters will be just fine if we can keep 80 GHz. Current constraints are already having an impact.”

During the July 22, 2026 vote on the Report and Order, Order of Proposed Modification, and Order on Reconsideration (FCC 26-46) setting up plans and rules for the auction, FCC Chair Carr and Commissioner Olivia Trusty approved the measures; Commissioner Anna Gomez approved in part and dissented in part.

The FCC Order plans to bridge the Lower C-band and Upper C-band to create a single, harmonized “super band” spanning 440 megahertz (3.70-4.14 GHz)—a gigantic swath of licensed, 5G-grade mid-band spectrum that no other industrialized country can boast.

The FCC also reported that it will auction 60% more spectrum than the 100 megahertz minimum required under law, a decision that will raise tens of billions of dollars more for the U.S. Treasury to support deficit reduction and national priorities.

The FCC also stressed that the auction is on track to close by the statutory deadline of July 2027, and the FCC’s new rules ensure that the Upper C-Band can be lit up for most Americans before the end of 2030—faster than originally expected.

Wireless companies praised the FCC for the Order and the agencies plans to hold more spectrum auctions in 2028.

T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan said “the best wireless service in the world and the jobs that come with it require government and industry to keep our foot on the gas as we accelerate 6G. That’s exactly what Chairman Carr did this morning by adopting pro-6G rules for the C-Band 2.0 auction and committing to a 2.7 GHz auction in 2028. The auction of two “super bands” of mid-band spectrum in the next two years will extend America’s wireless leadership and will deliver real results for Americans during this Administration.”

The FCC described additional benefits, details and features of the Order, Order of Proposed Modification, and Order on Reconsideration adopted on July 22 as follows:

• The Impact: This plan puts America on a path towards massive gains that could result in at least $422 billion in GDP, 2.4 million new jobs, and $621 billion in consumer surplus by freeing up additional spectrum.
• The ‘Super Band’: The 2027 upper C-band transition will ultimately result in a 440 megahertz contiguous block of spectrum for the provision of wireless services by combining the Lower C-band (3.7-3.98 GHz) and now the Upper C-band (3.98-4.14 GHz).
• The Auction: The 2027 upper C-band auction will make available 160 megahertz of valuable mid-band spectrum through the auction of 3,248 new flexible-use spectrum licenses throughout the contiguous United States. The rules allow winning bidders to commence wireless services in the upper C-band starting in December 2030 for the top-75 markets in the contiguous United States, and in any remaining markets starting July 2031.
• The Incumbents: The rules set forth a framework that will fairly and expeditiously transition incumbent satellite operations out of the reconfigured portion of the upper C-band. Total incentives to satellite operators will be less in aggregate than those paid after the lower C-band auction, but roughly commensurate given the lower amount of spectrum being cleared.
• The Neighborhood: The new rules take steps to ensure a continued successful coexistence between wireless operations throughout the C-band and radio altimeters in the nearby 4.2–4.4 GHz band, and establishes rebates to support the domestic aviation sector in its efforts to retrofit and upgrade the performance of these critical safety tools.
• The Coordination: The item reflects extensive input and coordination from the FCC’s federal partners, including through OMB’s OIRA and NTIA’s IRAC review processes. In particular, this effort has been closely coordinated with the FAA, which is undertaking a parallel rulemaking to greatly enhance the robustness and signal rejection capabilities of radio altimeters.
• The Incentive Payments: The item proposes that winning bidders will be responsible for transition costs and incentive payments for in-band licensees, as well as rebates for the purchase and installation of upgraded radio altimeters. This total budget is well below the low-end of expected proceeds from auctioning the 160 megahertz.
• The Process: Following the Commission’s successful lower C-band auction in 2020, the FCC began work last year – under its renewed auction authority and upper C-band auction remit pursuant to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – to establish the framework necessary to successfully put this spectrum to more intensive use. The Commission built on an original Notice of Inquiry to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking last November, and today adopted final rules. In the next few days, Commission staff will seek comment on auction procedures before establishing the final procedures in preparation for the auction.

The initial Report and Order, Order of Proposed Modification, and Order on Reconsideration is available here. The final document was not yet available on July 22.

TV Tech will add reactions as they come in.

WALTHAM, Mass. and PHILADELPHIA—Zixi and Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) today announced a strategic new integration to deliver C-band replacement solutions for linear broadcasters and content distributors. The collaboration brings together the end-to-end video management capabilities provided by Comcast Media360 with the Zixi Software Platform to give operators a direct migration path from C-band satellite to IP-based content distribution, they said.

With the C-band satellite transition underway, programmers and distributors are exploring solutions to migrate linear workflows to IP while maintaining the kind of reliability, rights compliance, and affiliate distribution control that C-band has historically provided. At the core of the joint Zixi and CTS solution is a technical integration between the Zixi Software Platform and Comcast Media360, which provides customers with a 24/7 managed service backed by the proven reliability and scale of Comcast Technology Solutions.

“The C-band transition is not a distant deadline for our customers. It is a decision they are making now. Working with Comcast Technology Solutions means that we can offer broadcasters a solution that does not ask them to trade rights compliance and reliability for IP flexibility. The integration between the Zixi Software Platform and Comcast Media360 is the kind of joint engineering that makes a real operational difference," said Marc Aldrich, CEO, Zixi.

"Broadcasters are looking for ways to operate their linear channels more efficiently while continuing to scale distribution as part of their C-band transition efforts,” said Bart Spriester, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Streaming, Broadcast, and Advertising at Comcast Technology Solutions. “Comcast Media360 helps make that possible across broadcast and IP workflows and, together with Zixi, delivers a satellite replacement option that gives programmers and distributors a manageable path to IP and unlocks new monetization opportunities."

Notably, CTS’ linear rights management normalizes rights metadata using the SCTE 224 standard, enabling content providers to manage alternate content delivery, ad insertion windows, and audience-based content restrictions across broadcast and streaming destinations. Zixi ZEN Master orchestrates the live video workflow across cloud or hybrid network environments, with native support for SCTE-35/224 signaling, blackout enforcement, and schedule-driven source switching.

Together, the integrated platforms can provide broadcasters a single, intelligent, rights-aware distribution chain that combines signal orchestration, affiliate distribution, and rights enforcement enabling new monetization and distribution capability, while removing the dependency on satellite infrastructure and maintaining compliance and control.

As C-band satellite capacity is reclaimed and transition deadlines approach, the need for end-to-end IP workflows has become a near-term business imperative for broadcasters, the companies said, adding that the combined Zixi and CTS solution gives broadcasters a migration path that preserves existing investment in rights management infrastructure while moving to the flexibility and cost structure that IP distribution offers and simplifying the path from ingest to monetization.

Editor's note: This article was written prior to the FCC's formal announcement on June 30 of the planned auction of 160 MHz of midband spectrum.

As broadcasters wait for the FCC to release the ground rules for the congressionally mandated upper C-band auction in July 2027, the gap is widening between what their lobbyists and suppliers say will happen if they lose all 180 MHz of the high-value block.

The contrasting perspectives, ranging from near panic to sanguinity that—with enough transition time—broadcasters will be fine—played out in interviews, recent Federal Communications Commission filings and a high-level executive C-band panel at NAB Show. It’s still unclear how much spectrum will end up on the auction block, how long stations will have to make whatever transitions to alternatives are necessary and what they can expect in the way of compensation for the costs.

The View From NAB and NABA
Messaging from the National Association of Broadcasters, the North American Broadcast Association (NABA) and other industry representatives expressed deep concerns on all points, starting with the possibility of losing more than 100 MHz of upper C-band spectrum. After 60% of the overall C-band total vanished in the 2021 lower C-band auction, losing all 180 MHz in the upper band could cause irreparable harm, NABA Director-General Rebecca Hanson said.

“We have members already suffering after the first auction,” Hanson said, citing evidence submitted in an FCC filing by the North American Spectrum Alliance, an independent project launched last year under NABA management. “I hesitate to say broadcasters will be just fine if we can keep 80 GHz. Current constraints are already having an impact.

“There are no viable alternatives that match what C-band delivers,” she said. “Ku-band has rain-fade problems; fiber has penetration problems; there can be multiday outages on internet connections. In research you find claims to the contrary, but what’s in the NAB filings challenges those claims.”

Indeed, earlier this year NAB advised the commission, “The record consistently demonstrates that claims of ‘viable alternatives’ are overstated, unsupported, and incomplete.” It went so far as to cite discussions with broadcasters that showed one vendor’s claims of offering a terrestrial alternative to C-band with “zero downtime” over several years “to be false, or at least misleading.

“Terrestrial circuits are vulnerable to physical cuts, congestion, vendor outages and first-mile failures, with restoration times measured in hours or days—conditions completely incompatible with broadcast operations,” NAB said. “No one offers a universal, one-for-one [C-band] replacement capable of delivering the same reliability, coverage, scalability and resilience nationwide.”

‘So Many Options’
But the no “one-for-one replacement” caveat is beside the point for many broadcasters hoping to orchestrate various combinations of these transport solutions to meet NAB’s requirements. Even if the whole C-band sky falls, they said there’s reason to believe technology will open ways forward that could even work to their advantage.

“If we lose all or substantially all of the spectrum, which I think we probably will, our plan will be to forklift the traffic to Ku-band and then supplement that with some number of terrestrial paths,” said Alastair Hamilton, senior vice president of distribution engineering and architecture at Fox, who spoke on the NAB Show C-band panel. “I’m glad we have so many options.”

On the satellite front, along with the Ku-band option, broadcasters could also use low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite capacity, Hamilton noted. Deepak Mathur, president of media at SES, said the satellite operator is aggressively working with suppliers to design and build a new set of Ku-band satellites enabling higher power outputs in heavy rain zones and “cross-strapping” tie-ins to uplinks that work in the C-band.

“We believe that we can come very close, not exactly all the way there, but very, very close to the network reliability that you’ve enjoyed with C-band,” Mathur told the NAB Show panel audience. Setting 2030 as the target date when broadcasters would be able to deploy retrofitted Ku-band antennas for the uplink strategy, he added, “We’re on a good track to get there.”

The ‘Last-Mile’ Challenge
For many broadcasters, a comprehensive C-band replacement solution will have to include support for off-shore connectivity, which in CBS’s case includes service in the Caribbean, parts of Latin America and Canada. Whatever the hybrid replacement solution turns out to be, “it’s going to put more onus on us to make sure the carriers and the service providers are indeed routing the paths and have the proper resiliency within their networks,” Fuller said, noting that the last-mile transition is the “hard part.”

Hamilton agreed. “That’s the bit that worries us the most,” he said. “Our broadcast markets for the most part have some reasonable connectivity, and we can go to the top five or six MVPDs on the cable side with fiber, internet, satellite. We’ve got whatever the number is, 90%, but it’s that extra 10% that’s going to be the real challenge. I think we’re going to have to get creative.”

Just how hard that will be remains to be seen.

There’s a well-proven solution readily at hand, said Rich Young, head of global products at LTN, who appeared on a second vendor panel at the NAB Show C-band session. Station groups and multichannel operators can “bring one feed in” on the IP network and “deliver it with synchronized latency to every location,” he said, noting the LTN Network coverage was on course to connect customers accounting for an aggregate 1,700-plus broadcast station affiliates plus multichannel video programming distributors reaching 98% of “the MVPD eyeballs.”

The range of possibilities was well illustrated by last month’s announcement that 330 PBS member stations are adopting LTN’s IP platform. Without mentioning the upper C-band issue, PBS said the move was aimed at “modernizing and future proofing” the PBS Interconnection system. The LTN Network will deliver up to nine linear broadcast feeds from PBS and affiliated networks to member stations while enabling always-on support for inter-station content sharing and contributions of locally produced content to regional and national broadcasts.

LTN is tackling the C-band replacement issue with multivendor integrations and network enhancements aimed at improving reliability, scalability and operational visibility. For example, a collaboration with Appear integrates that firm’s high-density X Platform to support encoding and decoding IP-native live video contribution and distribution payloads on the LTN network.

Harmonic is another supplier partnering with LTN, in this case through a tie-in with Harmonic’s XOS Advanced Media Processor software appliance used in MVPD headends to unify encoding, playout and delivery. As Andrew Hildenbrandt, Harmonic’s solutions director for broadcast and primary distribution solutions, makes clear, LTN is just one of the paths XOS customers can take in their adjustments to C-band replacement.

“At the affiliate edge, XOS acts as a ‘headend-in-a-box,’ offering a flexible and
future-proof solution for distribution via Ku-band satellite, managed IP through partners like LTN or Zixi, CDN or hybrid workflows,” Hildenbrandt told TV Tech. “With XOS media processor, we are embracing a very straightforward but powerful idea: broadcasters and programmers can deliver any content, over any platform, to any affiliate.”

Multiplatform Approach
Other suppliers said it’s possible to fashion a seamless flow of live-event feeds into production and out to affiliates without relying on C-band, but doing so requires a means of orchestrating support from more than one platform.

Synamedia, for example, has long enabled use of its workflows in multiple transport environments, including “delivering content over satellite securely for over 30 years,” noted Synamedia Director of Distribution Kenelm Deen, another NAB Show C-band session speaker.

“There’s no one technology that will solve this,” Deen said. “There will be multiple technologies for different use-case applications.” He said Synamedia, with an edge platform “that can receive across any network technology, be it Ku with BSF [bandstop filters], IP, Zixi, SRT—any protocol,” is working with broadcasters to shape post-C-band paths precisely to their needs.

Zixi is also working with broadcasters making the transition from C-band on the assumption that “there’s no one technology that can replace it,” as Alan Young, vice president of strategic business development, put it during the NAB Show session. “We act as a trust boundary for a lot of traffic as it passes through the workflow,” he said.

Zixi’s Zen Master manages all the complexity of orchestrating hitless switching across multiuse IP networks so latency is deterministically fixed “everywhere at every receive site” with transmissions in and out of multiple vendor workflows, Young said. “Doing that, you can create five 9s or maybe even better if you add more paths,” he added, noting that Zixi “is working with pretty much everyone on this panel and many others.”

Blended Connectivity
Coming from a different perspective on support for C-band replacement through hybrid transmission solutions, Dejero has been showing broadcasters how its TITAN Command platform can be used to orchestrate video flows at high performance across 5G and LEO networks utilizing the blended connectivity enabled by its field-based EnGo 3 transmitter.

At the NAB Show, Dejero teamed with other suppliers, including Clear-Com, GlobalM, Matrox Video and Ross Video, in a live “field-to-air” demo that leveraged use of the TITAN Command orchestration platform to combine cellular and Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO constellation into a resilient alternative to C-band in a multivendor environment.

“We have the right technology and are in the middle of trying to understand what the business model looks like and what the next steps should be,” said Kevin Fernandes, Dejero’s chief revenue officer, adding that working out the business model includes figuring out a way that LEO network capacity can be monetized for as-needed broadcast industry use.

“These discussions don’t happen overnight,” he added. “Right now, we’re putting TITAN out there and showing it works.”

Other suppliers are bucking the perception that C-band replacement requires hybrid multiplatform approaches by offering single-platform solutions they say can do the job with C-band-caliber performance on the internet. One such advocate is BCNEXXT. In an interview, Graham Sharp, its sales and marketing vice president, noted successes in the playout arena, including providing Sky Europe with cloud-based playout support on 220 channels, as a foundation to providing a C-band alternative.

“Our whole system is developed around reducing CPU power and distribution costs,” Sharp said, noting BCNEXXT is hoping to close on its first large U.S. station group deal by year’s end. “That’s why we think it’s a good alternative to satellite distribution.”

Another executive expressing confidence in a single IP-based platform solution to the C-band replacement issue is Michelle Munson, CEO and co-founder of Eluvio. At the NAB Show event, Munson said Eluvio’s global broadcast fabric supports any-to-any networks at global scales “built on top of TCP/IP with a novel decentralized content routing protocol that allows distribution meeting latency targets…with deterministic global switching” and “multipath SMPTE 2022-7 routing throughout.”

“One distribution serves all receivers, and along with that, each receiver is dynamically able to become a new output,” she added. “We have the flexibility, I think, this is really about. It’s not just about replacing satellite. It’s the transformation of the industry into what could be a truly over-the-top, flexible, simple, data-driven kind of workflow that we’ve really not been able to take advantage of before.”

Learn more about the challenges facing C-band users in the TV Tech Talk, “C-Band Spectrum Changes: The Next Infrastructure Shift for Broadcasters,” July 29 at 2 p.m. ET. To register, click here.

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission has announced the conclusion of its AWS-3 auction for mid-band spectrum, with results the agency said showed the demand for spectrum is high.

Auction bidding beat expectations with significant per-unit prices and gross winning bids exceeding $3.5 billion.

Bidding in the AWS-3 auction, formally designated as Auction 113, began on June 2, 2026. Seventeen qualified bidders participated in the auction, which ran for 72 rounds.

Up to $3.3 billion of the auction’s proceeds will be used to cover amounts borrowed to support the FCC’s “rip and replace” program and other Commerce Department programs.

The auction made available 200 spectrum licenses in the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands which were subject to bid defaults or bid withdrawals in the 2014 auction and thus have remained unused in the FCC’s inventory since then.

Many of the licenses were ones that Dish won in Auction 97 more than a decade ago; the higher than expected proceeds mean that Dish won’t have to cover a shortfall.

In the run-up to forthcoming Upper C-Band auction, the FCC said that the better than expected results shows that the FCC’s Auctions program is running strong, despite the previous lapse in authority and a four-year gap in conducting an auction.

The FCC also said it is on schedule to meet Congress’s deadline to complete a system of competitive bidding for at least 100 megahertz in the Upper C-band no later than July 2027. Those auctions are expected to have a major impact on the way broadcasters and programmers distribute programming and content.

“Today’s successful auction generated billions of dollars in competitive bids to put spectrum to effective commercial use, and it bolsters competition in the wireless marketplace,” FCC Chair Brendan Carr said in a statement. “We will carry this momentum forward as we prepare for the Upper C-Band auction in the year ahead.”

Auction 113 also featured the debut of the FCC’s brand new application system, which represents a step towards the FCC’s goals of increasing efficiency in agency operations.

With the Federal Communications Commission rules for an auction of at least the congressionally mandated 100 MHz of C-band spectrum expected as soon as July, many broadcasters had a laser-beam focus on how best to proceed with signal contribution and distribution alternatives during the 2026 NAB Show.

A breakfast event organized by The Hive Group, a public relations and creative agency headquartered in McLean, Va., on behalf of LTN, shed a great deal of light on the issues and alternatives from both the broadcaster and vendor points of view. For the purposes of this column, I’ll focus on the former.

Brad Cheney, vice president of field operations and engineering at Fox Sports, moderated a panel discussion about the challenges of living with less C-band spectrum. Panelists included David Johnson, senior vice president of technology at The Walt Disney Co., Alastair Hamilton, senior vice president of distribution, engineering and architecture at Fox, and Ken Fuller, vice president of distribution and technology operations at Paramount/CBS.

While video of the event posted to YouTube is available, panelists made several points worth calling attention to here.

There are multiple ingredients to success, including quality, reliability and availability, that must match what broadcasters have today in C-band. What each broadcaster ultimately chooses to do will include a mix of technologies. “There is not one silver bullet solution that gives us what we have today,” Fuller said. Finding what’s right will require “a testing curve” and a “learning curve.”

Matching C-band reliability is a big job. As things stand today, broadcasters have 99.999% C-band reliability. Disney has a lot of experience using non-satellite fiber IP and the public internet. That provides it with a good basis for comparison with C-band. “The primary challenge there is, it’s not five 9s,” said Johnson. “When you think about five 9s compared to four 9s, that’s four minutes difference in a 30-day period.” That translates into a “significant difference in quality and reliability that we need to solve for.”

Packet recovery via the internet is concerning. Some alternatives to C-band involve multiple transport paths, such as Ku-band with internet backup for dropped packets. After looking at nearly 200 major markets, Fox found ISP internet outages to be “quite alarming,” said Hamilton. “Some major markets were down for hours and hours.”

Distribution to small MVPDs will be a challenge. Taken together, Disney, Fox, Paramount/CBS, Warner Bros. and other major broadcasters deliver more than 10 Gbps of content to MVPD partners. That’s not a problem for the largest players with fiber connectivity. But the 10% of MVPDs that are smaller operators is “the bit that worries me,” said Hamilton. “I think we are going to have to get creative to service those.”

Opex reimbursement will be key. Unlike the last C-band auction, maintaining service won’t simply be a matter of replacing capital equipment. Recurring operational expenses for alternatives to C-band will be a major factor. “The blanket statement…is you [government reimbursement funds] will have to pay for our Opex for 10 years,” Fuller said. “Now, what does that mean? We don’t know yet.”

We will be holding a TV Tech Talk webinar July 29 on the ramifications of the C-band auction and available alternatives. Rebecca Hanson, director-general of the North American Broadcasters Association, will be our featured speaker. I am moderating.

July 2027 marks the next Upper C-band auction and a further reduction of satellite spectrum that has been the backbone for television distribution for decades.

This time, the challenge looks different. The previous C-band repack compressed services into a smaller slice of spectrum through more efficient encoding and additional satellite capacity.

But the next phase is unlikely to offer that same flexibility. Even under more conservative scenarios, with the FCC required by statute to auction at least 100 MHz of Upper C-band, many broadcasters now assume current distribution models will not be sustainable within the remaining C-band allocation.

That challenge sits against a deeply embedded infrastructure. Satellite has set the standard for decades, delivering consistent, predictable performance across vast affiliate footprints. Today, there are still over a thousand registered earth stations supporting video broadcast distribution.

For those who are carrying premium channels and live events, replacing satellite is being assessed and scrutinized around reliability, and more specifically, how to maintain broadcast-grade delivery as the underlying infrastructure changes.

Approaching the Transition
Broadcasters are no longer evaluating distribution options in theory. They’re testing them in live environments, where performance failures are visible, measurable, and have commercial impact.

These considerations play out differently depending on the type of service in play. Occasional-use contribution feeds and lower-risk channels are often the first to move, where flexibility and cost carry more weight. Higher-value full time channels, where disruption has immediate commercial impact, tend to follow a more gradual path, introducing IP alongside existing satellite capacity before making larger moves.

A managed IP solution that offers service level guarantees is increasingly forming a core part of the delivery model, either as a primary or a back-up pathway. Deep monitoring of both the end-to-end network connectivity, as well as the video, audio, and metadata payload is critical transparency that allows programmers and networks to know the state of their content as received by their partner platforms.

Where Alternatives Break Down
Ku-band satellite is one of the most immediate options open to broadcasters. It has the advantage of providing additional capacity and can be integrated into existing workflows, but it comes with a known trade-off: greater sensitivity to weather than C-band. For some use cases, that trade-off is manageable, but for high-value live services, it often means that another layer of protection is required.

A second option is public internet delivery, which presents a different set of challenges. Although it’s widely available and easy to access, video cannot always be transported consistently, and unmanaged internet paths do not give broadcasters the same confidence around performance and protection that they would expect. This is why content owners preparing for migration are looking into the architecture that is powering these services, focusing on how a provider handles redundancy, what level of service assurance exists, how issues are identified, and who is responsible when a feed is degraded.

One further pressure lies in the compression of the remaining satellite services. As more channels are packed into less spectrum, managing that environment becomes a lot harder. Planning early gives broadcasters greater scope to sequence migrations sensibly, maintain continuity and avoid unnecessary disruption as timelines tighten.

The Growth of Managed IP Distribution
In response to these challenges, purpose-built IP distribution is gaining ground because it addresses the areas broadcasters are focused on most closely: reliability and control. That includes fully managed networks designed for live video, with built-in redundancy, clear service-level commitments, and continuous monitoring from origination to hand-off.

Broadcasters and MVPDs do not want a replacement model that makes things more complex at the receive site or turns every new channel into an engineering nightmare. They need manageability, support, simplicity, reliability, transparency, and scale, all of which makes IP migration more manageable for programmers and platforms.

Reliability as the New Benchmark
When it comes to high-value content, premium channels and live events place tolerance on delivery problems is effectively zero. This reality is shaping how broadcasters plan their transition. Hybrid models will persist in the near term, with satellite continuing to play a role in certain markets and for some content. But as C-band capacity continues to contract, the direction of travel is clear.

The next phase of distribution will be defined by which solutions can deliver broadcast-grade reliability in an increasingly complex environment. In the post-C-band era, broadcasters will need the deterministic certainty offered by proven managed IP solutions with performance Service Level Agreements and backed up by 24x7 human and automation support that responds swiftly to remediate any issues with the network or the content.

Skyview Networks has launched Cirocast, a cloud-native, broadcast-grade audio distribution platform that the company says is designed to provide broadcasters with greater versatility, control and new revenue opportunities.

The launch comes at a time when upcoming FCC C-band auctions are pushing broadcasters to find alternatives to their traditional satellite distributions and adopt new IP solutions.

Skyview said that the new Cirocast cloud-based system is designed to help with that transition and in the process move from capital-intensive platforms to a scalable cloud platform that offers broadcasters the reliability they expect from mission-critical delivery systems.

“We built Cirocast because the economics of broadcast distribution are shifting and networks deserve a platform that takes advantage of this transition,” said Aaron Mellis, senior vice president, technology of Skyview Networks. “For years, broadcasters have been asked to accept tradeoffs between reliability, flexibility and revenue. Cirocast challenges that thinking by delivering the operational confidence broadcasters expect while unlocking the flexibility and monetization opportunities of cloud-based workflows. With built-in ad insertion and copy split capabilities, distribution becomes a strategic revenue platform rather than a fixed cost.”

Unlike IP audio platforms focusing solely on point-to-point transport, Skyview reported that Cirocast offers a different approach to how broadcast feeds are built.

The platform delivers broadcast-quality audio over IP with the low-latency performance required for live and linear programming. Fully mixed, market-specific audio feeds are assembled in the cloud before delivery, moving ad targeting, copy splits and content personalization upstream.

This approach, Skyview said, allows broadcasters to unlock new revenue from programming that connects directly to virtualized environments, cloud-based automation systems or on-premises infrastructure.

Skyview Networks will demonstrate Cirocast live at the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 18–22.

For more information or to schedule a demonstration, visit cirocast.com.

WASHINGTON—The Hive Group has published a new white paper, “No Safe Harbor: Why the FCC’s Upper C-Band Auction Demands Early Action from Broadcasters” ahead of NAB Show 2026 that examines the implications of the FCC’s planned auction of upper C-band spectrum and sets out what broadcasters need to consider now.

The FCC has scheduled an auction of between 100 and 180 MHz of upper C-band spectrum by July 2027. Unlike the 2020 reallocation, which left some C-band capacity intact, this auction would eliminate the remaining spectrum available to broadcasters, removing the option to stay on satellite without a significant infrastructure change.

For broadcasters that have relied on C-band for decades, this is an even more complex problem than the last transition. The study explains that this time around, there is no direct like-for-like replacement. Alternatives-including Ku-band, managed IP, and hybrid IP delivery each involve trade-offs in cost, complexity, and coverage.

The white paper evaluates these options and makes clear that no single model fully replicates what C-band has provided in terms of reliability, reach, and economics.

“The industry is facing a structural shift, not a routine spectrum reallocation,” said Lorenzo Zanni, lead data analyst, The Hive Group. “There is no safe harbor this time. Broadcasters that delay preparation will find themselves making high-stakes decisions under compressed timelines, with limited leverage. The window to act strategically is now.”

The report also delves into a number of practical challenges broadcasters should prepare for:

• Greater operational risk for live and time-sensitive content during the transition period
• Substantial equipment and infrastructure upgrades required across affiliate networks
• Less predictable cost structures as broadcasters move to IP-based and hybrid delivery
• Disproportionate burden on smaller broadcasters and local stations with limited resources to adapt

To address those thorny challenges, the white paper recommends that broadcasters begin now, starting with infrastructure audits, evaluating alternative delivery models, and engaging vendors early to allow enough lead time for informed decision-making.

Alongside the white paper launch, The Hive Group will host "The Future of Satellite Replacement” executive breakfast on Tuesday, April 21, from 7:30 to 9:30am at The Renaissance Hotel, Las Vegas during NAB Show 2026. The session is designed as an open industry forum bringing together senior leaders from broadcasters, satellite operators, IP transport providers, telcos, and cloud platforms to discuss the practical realities of moving away from C-band.

Topics under discussion will include how broadcasters are managing continued C-band spectrum loss, the operational and economic implications of shrinking satellite capacity, the role of IP terrestrial delivery, fiber, and cloud infrastructure, and what resiliency and redundancy look like in IP-based architectures.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Brad Cheney, VP, Field Operations & Engineering, FOX Sports
• Kenelm Deen, Director, B2B Distribution Solutions, Synamedia
• Thomas Edwards, Principal Solutions Architect, AWS
• Ken Fuller, Vice President, Distribution & Technology, Paramount/CBS
• Alastair Hamilton, SVP, Distribution Engineering & Architecture, Fox Corporation
• David Johnson, Senior Vice President, Technology, The Walt Disney Company
• G Morgan, Executive Vice President of Sales, Globecast
• Michelle Munson, CEO, Eluvio
• Alan Young, VP, Strategic Business Development, Zixi
• Rick Young, SVP, Head of Global Products, LTN
• Deepak Mathur, President, Media, SES Satellites
• Rick Gibson, VP, Vyvx Solutions, Lumen

Download the white paper at https://wearehivegroup.com/future-of-satellite-replacement.

Register for the breakfast event at https://wearehivegroup.com/future-of-satellite-replacement.

COLUMBIA, MD—LTN has announced major enhancements to its purpose-built global IP video network, introducing new capabilities for channel creators as they accelerate their transition from legacy satellite models. The latest innovations are based on the company’s experience completing large-scale migrations for national networks, station groups and sports networks to deliver even better reach, reliability, visibility and operational control.

LTN will showcase the new network enhancements at Booth W2100 in the West Hall of the LVCC during the NAB Show, April 18–22 in Las Vegas.

U.S. federal auctions to free up large portions of spectrum capacity for 5G services are approaching, with up to 180 MHz set to be reallocated in the next auction cycle, expected before the end of July 2027. As broadcasters face severe pressure on the remaining C-Band capacity for content distribution, LTN says it is enhancing the transition to reliable, IP-based alternatives with new capabilities that exceed the performance, visibility and reach of C-band or Ku satellite or protocol-only IP solutions.

LTN’s latest innovations prioritize resilience under real-world conditions, operational visibility, scalable management and flexible deployment—aligning with evolving customer needs as broadcasters expand IP distribution footprints and increase channel complexity, according to Malik Khan, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, LTN.

“We are continuing to invest in the areas that drive clear value for major networks and broadcasters—resilience, visibility, scale and cost control,” he said. “As the C-band spectrum auction approaches, broadcasters are looking for certainty and measurable performance. We’re seeing unprecedented momentum and are innovating to ensure we continue to deliver the market’s leading reliable and intelligent distribution platform. For our customers, this means they can unlock new growth opportunities while also driving meaningful cost efficiencies.”

Enhancements include:

• Reliability and performance: Enhancements include Adaptive Multicarrier Rapid Error Recovery (RER), hitless switching and last-mile improvements, delivering improved stability and consistent performance at scale.
• Visibility and monitoring: New capabilities include historical performance views, enhanced source monitoring and expanded API integrations for advanced reporting and analytics – providing greater transparency across feeds, faster issue identification and improved monitoring across complex distribution footprints.
• Reach and deployment enablement: LTN has introduced expanded network access options, including a gateway capable of receiving 500 channels targeted at headends with large channel lineups and small-footprint gateway targeted at affiliates needing to receive just a handful of full time channels. These enhancements deliver open interoperability, greater reach and faster deployment while integrating seamlessly into existing workflows and technical architectures.
• Edge device integration: LTN is working with the leading edge device manufacturers—encoding and IRDs systems—to integrate LTN Network access directly into those devices. The roster of partners—including MediaKind, Harmonic, Appear, and Ateme—will be demonstrated for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show.
• Control, orchestration and scale: Enhancements include more robust dynamic content routing, advanced distribution group management and centralized portal-based orchestration. Broadcasters can manage hundreds of affiliates, across a hybrid footprint, via a single interface, reducing manual workflows while improving visibility and control as scale increases.

LTN has delivered successful satellite-to-IP migrations for leading organizations, including Tennis Channel, TelevisaUnivision, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, MSG and MovieSphereGold, while expanding innovation for cable, broadcast and streaming networks through new capabilities and partnerships.

The company says its IP distribution footprint surged 200% in 2025, enabling seamless access to every content delivery platform. Today, LTN powers over 80 million hours of live video content annually — including nearly 5 million hours of live news and over 1 million live sporting events.

MELBOURNE, Fla.—As the industry prepares for the next phase of the FCC’s C-Band transition, USSI Global ‘s new Media Transport Solutions Lab has officially opened on the company’s campus.

Announced in October 2025, the engineering center brings the broadcast and media community a platform-agnostic, controlled environment to test alternatives to C-Band media transport and distribution.

USSI Global’s Media Transport Solutions Lab is focused on the growing complexity at the edge of the network. With decades of experience working at the edge of the network, USSI Global has experienced an influx of fact-finding. These experiences inspired USSI Global to design and build a lab that will accelerate and validate customer-proposed solutions, it said.

“Our Media Transport Solutions Lab offers a secure and professional infrastructure to test theories and design approaches that identify resilient workflows without the time and expense of doing it in-house,” said Anthony Morelli, president and CEO of USSI Global. “Our customers can configure and re-configure the lab environment with their own technology and third-party hardware and execute their testing procedures both remotely and on-prem. Nothing else of this nature exists in our industry, and its arrival could not be timelier.”

Once the FCC makes its final decisions about clearing at least 100MHz of C-Band spectrum and C-Band users determine how to proceed, USSI Global is prepared to assist and accelerate the transition from the auctioned frequencies with its turnkey transitional or managed service offerings for broadcasters, MSOs, service providers and network operators, the company said.

The professional lab setting offers a low-risk path to build and test resilient workflows across satellite, IP and cloud platforms, including hybrid connectivity options. Results could range from a repack of satellite bands, such as C- and Ku-Band, to IP-based distribution that would include fiber, cable, microwave, LEO constellation and 4G/5G mobile or a hybrid combination of all the them.

Companies booking lab time begin by selecting connectivity strategies, redundancy models and real-world scenarios to evaluate. Post-testing, they have access to a wealth of information for review, determine the success of connectivity strategies and analyze whether additional options should be explored.

More information is available on the company’s website.

Following the FCC’s 2020 decision to repurpose the lower C-Band from satellite broadcast contribution use to mobile wireless services, they are now looking to do the same for the upper C-band spectrum currently used for broadcast distribution, supporting the delivery of live news, sports, and entertainment programming to local affiliate stations and cable head-ends.

Currently, the upper C-band spectrum remains a critical part of traditional distribution infrastructure, but often utilizes older technology, is expensive to operate and offers a centralized distribution network without the ability to easily localize.

When the lower C-band spectrum was reallocated in 2020, the resulting auction raised $81 billion, with a portion of the proceeds allocated to help broadcasters relocate and modernize contribution workflows that suddenly lost access to spectrum.

That transition accelerated the industry’s move toward IP-based contribution and permanently changed how live content is transported. What might have taken a decade under normal conditions happened in a matter of years, driven by regulation and supported by government funding.

If the upper C Band spectrum is re-allocated similarly, at a time when the industry is heavily cost overhung, it could create opportunities for broadcasters to reduce costs and open up new sources of revenue, funded at least partially by the government.

Migrating from Satellite to IP Distribution
Currently, broadcasters deliver fully assembled channels via satellite to transmitters and cable head ends. There is limited content replacement for localization utilizing local ad servers triggered by SCTE triggers embedded in the signal.

In the future, content, schedules, and metadata could be delivered over IP in the distribution stream format, often in non-real time for file based content, to a lightweight playout server in the headend or transmitter site, which creates the channel locally, enabling:

• Lower infrastructure and distribution costs
• Increased revenue through hyperlocal advertising and targeted content
• Increased reliability with a multipath architecture and redundant, independently operating playout servers

To facilitate this, the IRD in the head end is replaced with either a small playout server or a lightweight cloud instance, connected to an IP network; the onward distribution network remains the same.

The server has a storage cache for file content and can switch to local live IP feeds. It also has a copy of the schedule downloaded to it, so if the network is lost, it can operate independently, either playing cached content or, if it has not been downloaded yet, evergreen emergency content.

The Business Impact: Lower Cost, Greater Flexibility
If the FCC chooses to fund the transition, broadcasters may face a rare opportunity to receive financial support to replace infrastructure that already limits flexibility and profitability.

Rather than treating the potential C-band claw-back as a like-for-like replacement exercise, station groups can use it as a catalyst to modernize distribution in ways that:

• Reduce long-term operating costs
  Typically, IP networks are less costly than Satellite time and the required equipment generally shifts from specialized high-frequency capable to off-the-shelf IT-based.
• Improve monetization flexibility
  With a server at the point of distribution, local content and advertisements can be added just for the region served, creating great flexibility to localize and sell local advertising.
  In addition, IP and software offer new and more flexible business models, such as pay-as-you-go and SaaS, which are ideal for providing pop-up channels for occasional live events.
• Simplify operations across linear and streaming
  Linear, streaming, FAST and VoD channels can be distributed from a common content pool, simplifying the supply chain and consolidating silos, further reducing operating costs.
• Increase reliability and reduce on-air incidents
  Utilizing IP technology enables multipath distribution and lower cost, off-the-shelf hardware, and provides for easy to implement redundancy strategies. The use of distributed networks and local servers provides a robust solution, reducing technical failures, on-air incidents and errors.
• Future-proof distribution against further spectrum or market shifts
  IP distribution provides a materially different cost and operating model for station groups and network operators, as well as providing them with insulation against further satellite bandwidth reallocation and the ability to localize content more easily.

Looking Ahead
This distributed IP architecture reflects the approach BCNEXXT has already implemented in the playout architecture behind Vipe, which was designed from the ground up for distributed, IP-based playout rather than centralized, hardware-dependent broadcast infrastructures.

As the industry evolves, this type of architecture provides broadcasters with a practical path to modernize playout and distribution, improving operational efficiency, unlocking new monetization opportunities, and adapting to change without disruption. The spectrum conversation may be the immediate catalyst, but the bigger opportunity is for broadcasters to rethink how distribution is built, operated, and monetized over the next decade.

COLUMBIA, MD—LTN and MediaKind today announced a strategic partnership to tightly integrate MediaKind’s MK.IO Beam on-premise devices with the LTN Network, combining advanced edge video processing with LTN’s global IP transport infrastructure.

The integration connects MediaKind’s MK.IO Beam devices directly to the LTN Network, enabling reliable, redundant transmission of compressed video transport streams — for both contribution and distribution. The companies said the end result will be the delivery of a seamless path from high-availability IP distribution to on-premise content processing at scale.

The partnership comes at a pivotal moment as satellite-based C-Band distribution options continue to decline. With the FCC scheduled to auction off the remaining C-Band spectrum by 2027, programmers and content distributors, particularly in mid- and small-size headend markets, are seeking solutions that match the reliability of traditional C-Band while delivering faster deployment and improved cost efficiency.

“As the industry accelerates its shift away from satellite distribution, programmers and content distributors need IP solutions that deliver the same reliability, with greater flexibility and speed,” said Malik Khan, executive dhairman and co-founder of LTN. “Our integration with MediaKind brings advanced content processing directly to the edge of the LTN Network, enabling customers to deploy faster, operate more efficiently, and confidently scale their IP distribution plans.”

Enabling Direct, Redundant Connectivity at the Edge
Through the integration, MK.IO Beam devices can connect directly into the LTN Network, extending LTN’s multicast and multipath IP delivery capabilities to the edge. This enables multipath delivery over dual redundant IP connections, automatic “steering” of last-mile traffic to the best available LTN Network access node, and reliable, managed transport for both sending and receiving compressed video streams.

At the same time, the LTN Network gains streamlined access to MediaKind’s edge processing capabilities, allowing customers to transcode, multiplex, and transform content directly on-prem — ideal for source- or destination-specific processing requirements.

“The industry is under growing pressure to modernize distribution workflows without sacrificing performance,” said Shahar Bar, senior vice president, Products & Marketing at MediaKind. “By integrating MK.IO Beam directly with the LTN Network, we combine advanced software-based video processing with a highly reliable IP transport backbone—enabling faster deployments, greater operational agility, flexible cloud economics including monthly or hourly pay-as-you-go models, and a seamless transition away from legacy satellite infrastructure.”

Faster Deployment and Simplified Edge Operations
The companies say the partnership significantly accelerates IP distribution and contribution rollout timelines. Any MK.IO Beam device can now be quickly provisioned onto the LTN Network, shortening deployment cycles for contribution and distribution workflows, particularly in environments where time, infrastructure constraints, or cost sensitivity are critical.

For existing LTN customers, the integration enables content transformation at the edge, by simplifying custom encoding for regional or affiliate requirements, multiplexing for cable headends, and destination-specific processing handled locally.

By combining managed IP transport with on-prem video processing, programmers and content distributors can reduce infrastructure complexity while maintaining high reliability, they said.

Major U.S. wireless carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile are aggressively lobbying the Federal Communications Commission to repurpose the entire upper C-band (3.98–4.2 GHz) for flexible-use wireless services, aiming to secure up to 180 MHz of additional spectrum for expanded capacity.

Observers say those companies want it all, top to bottom. Wireless industry association CTIA, for one, met with the FCC this month and put on the record that it wants the “maximum amount of spectrum” in the upper C-Band for full-power, licensed wireless deployments.

While carriers and other wireless service providers are anxious to grab the maximum amount of capacity, they face stiff pushback from broadcasters urging a limit of 100 MHz.

The FCC has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to repurpose the 3.98–4.2 GHz band for flexible-use terrestrial services, with an auction targeted for 2027. The commission is mandated by Congress to take at least another 100 MHz for wireless services.

The National Association of Broadcasters said taking that much spectrum for terrestrial cellular services could disrupt vital content distribution services.

(This story from our sister publication Radio World focuses on filing by wireless entities. Read their coverage of the NAB’s latest reply comments here.)

Data usage needs

Driven by the need for more mid-band spectrum to support 5G, and eventually 6G services, major wireless carriers are continuing their push for the maximum possible amount, aiming for the full 180 MHz.

The wireless carriers emphasized the importance of “maximizing” the amount of C-band spectrum to be repurposed. AT&T cited the historic growth in data usage by Americans that underscores the importance of the commission’s efforts in the proceeding to free up additional mid-band spectrum.

AT&T, in its comments, said that for the third year in a row, U.S. mobile network data usage demand grew approximately 35%, a historic surge and a pace that would nearly double the amount of data used every two years.

“Stakeholders broadly agree that the upper C-band will play a key role in 5G and beyond,” AT&T wrote.

Moving incumbents

Verizon focused part of its recent reply comments on the feasibility of moving incumbent users, including satellite audio and video services used by broadcasters, out of the upper C-band.

The broadband giant said comments filed in the proceeding confirm there is a feasible path for transitioning incumbents out of the spectrum, while ensuring they can receive “substantially” the same service that exists today.

Some existing space station operators, Verizon said, have detailed opportunities to reorganize and compress customers into a smaller segment of upper C-band spectrum, while others could be moved to Ku-band spectrum.

It also pointed to commenters who said fiber and internet protocol distribution technologies present effective alternatives for services provided today.

Transition plan

Verizon and others said that Fixed Service Satellite providers like SES – the largest upper C-band satellite operator, responsible for over 95% of all video content in the band – have already outlined a plan to clear 180 megahertz of the band (160 Megahertz for terrestrial wireless service and 20 Megahertz for a guard band), but that full transition could take years to plan.

Therefore, several commenters suggested a plan that would take several stages to complete, with the 100 MHz mandated in the Big Beautiful Bill being the first implemented in 2027.

Once the FCC makes a final determination on how much spectrum to repurpose, wireless carriers urged the commission to follow a similar regulatory framework of the lower C-band repurposing and auction in 2020, a transition that booted broadcast services to the upper section of C-band.

T-Mobile said in its comments: “The record in the proceeding reflects near-unanimous support for such a reallocation and a regulatory framework for terrestrial mobile use that is harmonized across the C-band, including, among other things, applying the licensing and technical rules adopted for the lower C-band (3.7–3.98 GHz) to the upper C-band.”

CTIA meets with the commission

In the latest round of comments collected by the FCC this week, CTIA shared what it wished for in a meeting with FCC officials in February: making available the “maximum amount of upper C-band spectrum” for licensed, or exclusive, full-power terrestrial wireless deployments.

CTIA also requested a “clear, unwavering schedule” for wireless licensees to begin their deployments in the near term following the auction and harmonizing the lower and upper C-band technical rules, as appropriate.

CTIA said the spectrum is also needed to support AI innovation.

“The fact remains that data demand continues to grow year after year and additional spectrum will be needed to support this continued growth, particularly as AI begins to scale, with AI applications projected to drive uplink traffic 20 percent higher than it would be with existing applications,” CTIA said.

Ericsson, the multinational networking and telecommunications company, said maximizing the upper C-band for wireless helps promote national security of the United States.

“Repurposing the upper C-band,” Ericsson said, “will promote national security through the advancement of secure and trusted communications networks and equipment.

“As the commission is well aware, the dry spectrum well of the past several years created a leadership vacuum that allowed China to advance its own economic interests and security prerogatives at home and abroad through exports of its equipment to other countries,” it commented.

Meanwhile, the Competitive Carriers Association said it is very much in favor of utilizing the upper C-band for 5G and future 6G endeavors, but emphasized the need to make it fair for small and rural carriers when auctioning off the spectrum for wireless services. It questioned whether previously designated bid credits for small and rural carriers are still adequate.

“CCA agrees that mid-band auctions present unique challenges for rural providers. Mid-band spectrum offers the optimal balance of coverage and capacity for rural deployment,” the group said. “However, rural providers frequently face substantial capital constraints when competing against nationwide carriers with exponentially greater financial resources.”

Next-generation satellite

Some commenters, including Space X, suggested reserving portions of the upper C-band spectrum for next-generation satellite services (Direct-to-Device) rather than solely for terrestrial cellular services.

T-Mobile and the other wireless carriers told the commission to decline those proposals seeking to introduce mobile satellite services or shared-use mechanisms in the repurposed upper C-band.

There are also some technical challenges to overcome once spectrum for FSS earth stations is shifted elsewhere, according to multiple filers. The upper C-band is adjacent to the 4.2–4.4 GHz band used by radio altimeters in aviation, requiring careful management of interference risks, according to Boeing and several aeronautical entities.

In addition, several commenters pointed to the Federal Aviation Administration’s recent notice of proposed rulemaking concerning upgrading radio altimeters to withstand interference from adjacent wireless operations. The timeframe for implementing those upgrades is uncertain, according to observers.

CTIA in its comments hinted at a need for collaboration between government agencies to accomplish the goal of repurposing the spectrum for flexible-use wireless services.

“The coordinated FCC and FAA proceedings, buttressed by congressional action, standards development and cross-industry collaboration, have positioned all stakeholders for timely execution,” it said.

[This article appeared first in our sister publication Radio World. Their extensive business and regulatory coverage of the broadcast industry can be found here.]

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WASHINGTON—With major U.S. events like the Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, America 250, and the 2028 Olympics becoming ever more important for broadcasters, the Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance (WMSA) has been highlighting the need for spectrum to operate wireless microphones. This spectrum is particularly critical for high-profile events that include global broadcasts, multiple live performances, in-game/in-event announcements, and more, the group said.

The push to raise awareness about the importance of spectrum for the production of major events comes at a time when the Federal Communications Commission is planning to auction off more c-band spectrum and the U.S. Congress has authorized spectrum sales.

WMSA was formed last year to raise awareness with the FCC, Congress, the White House, and NTIA about how critical wireless microphones are to live performance, broadcast, and cultural events. Comprised of a coalition of manufacturers, audio engineers and broadcast professionals, WMSA’s mission is to preserve and protect spectrum for professional wireless use so events like these can proceed with superior and uninterrupted audio quality.

For example, the events surrounding Super Bowl 2026 create a tremendous demand on radio frequency (RF) spectrum for wireless microphones. It is the most amount of wireless deployed for a single sporting event and these requirements continue to increase.

For such events, WMSA noted that producers require:

• Massive Scale: Hundreds of wireless channels are needed for talent, crew, referees, and sideline personnel.
• Frequency Coordination: Game Day Coordinators (GDCs) allocate spectrum, prioritizing operations, venue, teams, and broadcasters.
• Interference Mitigation: Professional audio engineers use techniques like multiplexing, directional antennas, and meticulous frequency planning to help prevent signal clashes.
• Equipment: High-end wireless systems, specialized software, and robust distribution gear are essential.

WMSA is dedicated to protecting dedicated spectrum for wireless microphones to operate during sporting events, concerts, theater, broadcasts, and more. Whether on a global stage or a community platform, the importance of preserving access to spectrum is vital for many reasons.

An ecosystem of industries relies on it to successfully produce their events, which is a significant source of revenue, generating and maintaining thousands of skilled jobs, fostering technological innovation, and acting as a nexus for creativity that is exported all over the world.

Wireless microphones are a vital part of media production that forms an integral part of American culture and society and is fundamental to the country’s global leadership in media. Across all platforms, their use supports content creation sectors valued at over two trillion dollars in economic value globally and poised to crest three trillion dollars by 2025, according to A. Guttman.

WMSA believes that spectrum is under threat as the remaining spectrum accessible to wireless microphones in the 470–608 MHz band – which is shared with broadcasters, white space devices, public safety operations, etc. – is insufficient.

For example, spectrum scans taken in various U.S. cities after 2017, following the incentive auction and loss of access to the 600 MHz band, show limited or no available TV channels for wireless microphones.

This has necessitated an increasing reliance on Special Temporary Authority (STA) grants by the FCC to access spectrum typically not allowed for wireless mics in order to support medium and large-sized events. However, STAs are ad hoc, unpredictable, burdensome on staff and simply not a viable long-term solution to this continuing and growing need.

Without sufficient availability of suitable spectrum for wireless microphones, medium- to large-scale events which utilize all available spectrum in the TV-UHF band, plus spectrum authorized via STAs, will simply become unviable in many cities.

Data from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games revealed that 89 percent of all audio links used were within the 470–694 MHz range.

WMSA has recently met with the FCC and other organizations in Washington, D.C., to work on solutions for this to help preserve existing spectrum and get access to new spectrum for wireless microphones. WMSA is encouraged by the progress of those meetings.

The current focus on spectrum for commercial 6G use is on bands above 2.5 GHz and not on the TV-UHF band used by wireless mics. However, WMSA continues to remain vigilant that the focus does not shift to the TV-UHF frequency range.

With the current TV-UHF band being insufficient for major events like Super Bowl 2026, 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic games at many locations, WMSA has successfully engaged with relevant U.S. Federal agencies to secure access to additional spectrum. This collaboration is important for the future of live events.

More information is available at visit www.wmsa.org.

WASHINGTON–The Federal Communications Commission has agreed to extend the deadline for comments on proposals to further expand the ecosystem for next generation wireless services in the Upper C-band (3.98–4.2 GHz).

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by Congress earlier this year directs the agency to complete a system of competitive bidding in the Upper C-band by July 2027.

The new Order extends the time to file comments and reply comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to January 20, 2026, and February 18, 2026. Prior to that extension, comments had been due on January 5, 2026, and reply comments are due February 3, 2026.

The agency noted that it does not normally extend deadlines. “In this case, however, we believe that a brief extension will help commenters to develop more comprehensive responses to the complex technical, legal, and policy issues presented in the NPRM without jeopardizing the Commission’s ability to satisfy its legislative remit to complete a system of competitive bidding in the Upper C-band by July 2027,” the Order said.

The NAB, Aerospace Industries Association and others had all requested an extension earlier this month.

In a May filing, the NAB said it has serious concerns about auctioning Upper C-band spectrum.

“NAB again emphasizes that use of the Upper C-band for satellite program contribution and distribution is critical to the broadcast industry and that use has become more intense since the “Lower C-band” auction less than five years ago," the NAB said. "While the Lower C-band transition occurred largely without disrupting incumbent C-band services, that success was possible only because the Commission preserved a substantial portion of C-band for satellite use. NAB believes that further expansion of new services into Upper C-band will be dramatically more complex and expensive than Lower C-band and will result in material degradation and interruption of broadcast services.”

In a Dec. 11 letter requesting the extension the NAB said “the Upper C-band proceeding encompasses complex technical, operational, and safety-related considerations across a uniquely broad set of stakeholders — including the aviation industry and broadcasters. Developing the comprehensive, cross industry input needed to support a robust rulemaking record requires the exchange of significant technical data, operational analyses, and confidential information.”

“These efforts were unavoidably disrupted by the recent federal government shutdown and associated nationwide impacts, as FAA and aviation industry work on the forthcoming NPRM stalled during that time," the letter continued. “Significantly, we are expecting the FAA to issue an NPRM that will substantially inform industry responses in this proceeding. In addition, because of the December holiday period, subject-matter experts who are focused on maintaining safe and reliable air operations and maintaining reliable broadcast infrastructure will have limited availability. Finally, the Commission’s comment period for the Fifth FNPRM of the Next Gen TV Proceeding largely coincides with that of the Upper C-band NPRM and involves many of the same organizations and subject matter experts.”

Given those issues, the “NAB respectfully urges the Commission to grant the requested extension… This brief extension would not materially affect the Commission’s overall timeline or compromise the statutory requirement to conduct the auction by July 2027. Finally, granting such extension will better equip all parties — including the Commission — to achieve an efficient rulemaking process that supports safe aviation operations, protects incumbent users, and facilitates a successful Upper C-band auction.”

The full letter can be found here.

Additional filings in this proceeding are available here.

Last month, the FCC voted unanimously to move forward with proposed rules that would underpin the auction of at least 100 MHz, and potentially up to 180 MHz, of Upper C-band spectrum for 5G and 6G services. The direction of travel is clear: an ongoing push to maximize spectrum availability for mobile connectivity.

While regulators and stakeholders weigh up the implications, broadcasters must act faster than many others to protect their interests and secure reliable distribution pathways, free from the uncertainties of satellite.

The Broadcast Perspective
This latest move intensifies the urgency for broadcasters to secure viable alternatives to satellite as the remaining C-band spectrum is repurposed. Many networks and station groups have already decided to migrate all or part of their distribution to an alternative model using broadcast-grade IP video distribution technology—known as "Transport Stream over Internet Protocol" (IP-TS). IP-TS distribution matches the reliability of satellite with far more flexibility and much-needed cost- and availability-certainty, which will become harder for satellite-reliant broadcasters to achieve as auctions approach.

Some broadcasters, particularly those using multiple transponders, are still relying on long-term satellite operator partnerships or investigating Ku-band capacity – which often experiences unpredictable results due to rain fade issues. Others hesitate due to perceived complexity or assumptions that MVPDs are not IP-ready. Those assumptions are outdated. Nearly all major MVPDs today support IP distribution, with the necessary gateways and operational readiness in place.

The bottom line: broadcasters are asking critical questions. What happens if our transponder contract isn’t renewed? What if the cost of distribution becomes untenable? The answers increasingly point to hybrid or full IP strategies that offer greater control and cost predictability.

IP Distribution is Here, And It's Changing
Market confidence in IP-TS distribution is growing. Just this year, MovieSphereGold, Tennis Channel and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) joined TelevisaUnivision and MSG Networks in moving to a managed IP distribution model. At LTN alone, we’ve seen a 45% annual growth in channel count over the past nine years, now delivering nearly 8,000 channels annually across every US TV market. This has been driven by satellite to IP migrations completed for nearly 2,000 broadcasters, MVPD/vMVPD head-ends, and content owner sites.

The overwhelming growth in satellite-grade IP distribution will come not from retrofitted public cloud or protocol-only IP solutions. It will be driven by managed, purpose-built networks with built-in redundancy, monitoring, and guaranteed SLAs. In live video distribution, reliability cannot be a theoretical metric.

The broadcasters we speak with that want to move from satellite need real confidence. That means contractual assurances that the new is even more reliable than the old. Too often, vendors refer to terms like ‘five nines’ with little to prove it. Many general-purpose IP transport solutions work well as a ‘best effort’ offering, but achieving always-on reliability in mission-critical live scenarios requires managed network technology.

Migration Isn’t 'All-or-Nothing'
Our experience shows us it’s becoming faster and easier to migrate from satellite to IP. The infrastructure is already in place. Broadcasters are increasingly starting with hybrid approaches—dual-illuminating IP and satellite feeds, or moving only a subset of channels initially. MVPDs are now onboarding IP feeds in hours via high-capacity gateways. This shortens the time-to-market dramatically and opens the door to phased adoption without disruption.

And for satellite operators, partnering with IP providers can offer effective ways to reduce transponder loads and provide more flexible, event-specific delivery models. In hybrid scenarios, satellite may carry some feeds while IP enables revenue-generating regionalization opportunities, HDR variants, or international versions.

What Broadcasters Are Asking For
The regulatory imperative is real, but so are the business incentives. Folks are kickstarting IP migrations already, not because they need to, but because it makes commercial sense. IP opens up greater opportunities to deliver customized feeds, support advanced formats like 1080p60 HDR, and simplify syndication across both legacy and digital endpoints.

Many broadcasters are now asking vendors to support in delivering localized versions of the same core feed, with dynamic graphics, custom ad insertion, and multiple languages. Meanwhile, they’re pushing for deeper visibility and monitoring as distribution chains become more complex, spanning traditional and digital platforms, B2B syndication and content sharing models. These are the types of tasks and modern requirements that a legacy satellite model simply fails to deliver.

Although the uncertainties of spectrum repackaging are causing initial anxieties for content providers, I notice a growing willingness to accept the new normal and move forward with transition plans. My message is clear: weigh up your alternatives early, talk to the right partners, ask them to move fast. Demand SLA guarantees. Demand more capabilities, flexibility, performance, and cost-effectiveness than what you already have.

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission by a 3-0 vote opened a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to advance Congress’s mandate to clear a minimum of 100 Megahertz of Upper C-band spectrum no later than July 2027 for auction and eventual use for 5G and 6G wireless service.

The vote comes four months after Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB Act), restoring the commission’s authority to conduct spectrum auctions, and directed the FCC to free up spectrum in the 3.7-4.2GHz band for competitive bidding for terrestrial wireless flexible use. The NPRM seeks comment on clearing between 180 MHz (from 3.98 GHz to 4.16 GHz) to the 100 MHz Congress mandated (between 3.98 GHz and 4.08 GHz).

The OBBB Act reauthorized the FCC to grant licenses through competitive bidding until September 2034. It set up a path to eventually repurpose 800 MHz and at least 500MHz for full-power commercial licensed use cases.

The commission is looking for comments on a range of issues related to clearing the band and auction, including:

• The impact of the move on fixed satellite service (FSS) space station operators if their existing customers relocate out of the C-band.
• Application of the existing rules used for clearing the Lower C-band (3.7-3.9GHz) to new terrestrial service operators in the cleared Upper C-band.
• Basing any other rules that would be required on the those applied to the Lower C-band.
• Competitive bidding procedures for an auction.
• Licensing, operating and technical rules for any new wireless service.
• Transitioning incumbent FSS operations.
• Promoting co-existence with adjacent band radio altimeters.

Rules to clear the Lower C-band required new 3.7 GHz licensees to reimburse reasonable relocation costs of eligible FSS space station operators, incumbent FSS earth station operators and incumbent microwave fixed service (FS) via a third-party relocation payment clearinghouse. The commission at that time also set up a deadline to complete the clearing and an accelerated clearing process for eligible space station operators.

“Under any of the reconfiguration options under consideration, our baseline proposition is that we would apply the existing 3.7 GHz service rules to any newly authorized terrestrial wireless operations,” the NPRM said. “Any other rules and requirements, including those related to the transition process, would be modeled to the greatest extent possible on those that applied to the Lower C-band transition.”

The FCC will decide how much spectrum will be reallocated based on several factors, including the economic benefits and costs of repurposing spectrum for terrestrial wireless, how the value of that spectrum is affected by how much is repurposed and the clearing timeline, the NPRM said.

“We also will consider the capabilities of adjacent band radio altimeters which are expected to undergo upgrades that will further enhance their signal rejection capabilities and bolster the existing successful spectral co-existence environment to facilitate a further repurposing in the Upper C-band,” the NPRM said.

Comments are due at the commission 30 days after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register.

Reply comments are due 60 days after publication.

To download a PDF of the NPRM, visit the commission’s website.

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission has released an updated agenda for its Open Meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2025, which is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.

As previously reported, the meeting will include important votes on proposals to sell more C-Band spectrum and changes in the agency's cybersecurity policies.

The draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the C-Band proposals is available here.

The FCC described the items tentatively on the agenda as follows:

• “Freeing Up Large Swath of Upper C-band Frequencies” (GN Docket No. 25-59). The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that explores options for reconfiguring the Upper C-band (3.98 GHz to 4.2 GHz) in the contiguous United States, in furtherance of Congress’ direction in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
• “Modernizing Telecommunications Relay Services” (CG Docket No. 03-123); Speech-to-Speech and Internet Protocol (IP), Speech-to-Speech Telecommunications Relay Services (CG Docket No. 08-15). The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek comment on terminating the mandatory status of TTY-based relay service for state-based TRS programs; facilitate the transition of analog TRS users to Internet-based forms of TRS; propose and seek comment on recognizing IP STS as a compensable form of TRS; explore certifying a national analog relay provider; and seek comment on streamlining TRS provider certification and data collection processes, updating or eliminating obsolete rules, and closing an outdated docket.
• “Delete, Delete, Delete” (GN Docket No. 25-133). The Commission will consider as part of the Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding a Direct Final Rule that would move to delete approximately 21 rules and requirements that have sunset by operation of law; govern an expired event; regulate an obsolete technology; are no longer used in practice by the FCC or licensees; or are otherwise duplicative, outdated, or unnecessary.
• “Protecting the Nation’s Communications Systems from Cybersecurity Threats” (PS Docket No. 22-329). The Commission will consider an Order on Reconsideration that advances an agile and collaborative approach to protecting the nation from cyberattacks by rescinding an unlawful and ineffective January 2025 Declaratory Ruling and NPRM.

The meeting will be webcast at: www.fcc.gov/live. Open captioning will be provided as well as a text only version on the FCC website.

WASHINGTON—Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr said he has circulated a proposal for the agency to auction additional midband spectrum in the Upper C-band to commissioners.

The proposal would allow the FCC to take an important step towards implementing actions mandated in President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which restored the agency’s auction authority and requires it to complete a system of competitive bidding for at least 100 MHz in the Upper C-band no later than July 2027.

The commission will vote on the draft notice at its November open meeting.

Few details about the draft are available. It is being circulated among the commissioners, but is not on the agency’s website.

The proposals, however, are likely to be controversial among broadcasters because some of the spectrum in question is widely used for satellite delivery of TV, radio, video, sports, news and other media.

The Oct. 29 draft notice of proposed rulemaking is in addition to a proposal Carr made in February to auction additional spectrum. As part of a notice of inquiry adopted at the FCC’s Feb, 27 open meeting, the agency is seeking comment on the possibility of opening up additional portions of the midband spectrum range known as the Upper C-band (3.98-4.2 GHz) to help meet projected spectrum demand, spur economic growth, and advance American security interests.

If the draft of the newest spectrum auction proposal is adopted on Nov. 20, the FCC will seek comment on a range of options, including auctioning up to 180 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.98-4.2 GHz band for next-gen wireless services.

The FCC said it will consider "all options within that range, with the ultimate goal of maximizing the amount of spectrum to be repurposed as generational aviation safety upgrades occur in the adjacent band."

“President Trump has been clear that America is going to lead the world in next-generation technologies,” Carr said in a statement announcing the new proposals on Oct. 29. “That is why the FCC’s Build America Agenda prioritizes the work needed to restore U.S. leadership in wireless. And thanks to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, the Commission now has the tools to deliver on that goal. Specifically, the Bill authorizes and requires the FCC to auction prime, mid-band spectrum in the Upper C-Band, and my proposal aims to maximize the amount of spectrum available for 5G and 6G services.”

“Restoring America’s leadership position is important," Carr added. "After all, freeing up spectrum drives down prices for consumers, creates jobs, and increases competition. It also plays a vital role in promoting our national security and geopolitical interests. We’ve seen how the Lower C-band powers in-home and high-speed mobile broadband across the country."

With the FCC’s spectrum auction authority back in hand, lines in the sand are being drawn for the potential reallocation of the Upper C-Band for 5G mobile broadband use.

The part of the spectrum in question, 3.98–4.2 GHz, is mainly used for satellite distribution, which includes plenty of radio stations that use “receive dishes” for news and syndicated-based programs.

Back in February, the commission sought comment related to whether to open up the upper portion of the C-Band “for more intensive use.”

Then, the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” restored the commission’s authority to auction off the spectrum. Furthermore, the act included a requirement that the FCC must auction at least 100 MHz of the 3.98–4.2 GHz band within two years of its enactment.

Wireless telecom interests urge the commission to move forward with reallocation of the spectrum for 5G. The National Association of Broadcasters opposes it and argues that broadcasters just faced a similar satellite equipment spectrum migration with the 2020 Lower C-Band 5G allocation.

Wireless telecom and aviation industries on board

In an ex parte filing with the commission on Aug. 21, the Aerospace Industries Association, Airlines for America and CTIA-The Wireless Association said that their industries are working together to create a “safe and aggressive timeline” for expanding mobile broadband use in the Upper C-Band.

“Ultimately, we believe that by working together, we can collectively demonstrate a sound technical basis for the commission to auction a significant portion of Upper C-Band spectrum,” the groups wrote.

Among the airline industry’s main concern was coexistence with radio altimeters, which operate in the 4.2–4.4 GHz band.

In demonstrating a united front, the groups said that the U.S. must “maintain its historic leadership in wireless telecommunications and aerospace advancements.”

NAB reiterates satellite delivery importance

Representatives from the NAB met with members of the FCC’s Space Bureau and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau on Aug. 1. NAB recapped the meeting in an ex parte filing.

(View the NAB’s slides that it presented to the commission.)

NAB emphasized the role the band plays for satellite delivery for radio and TV broadcasting.

Examples NAB cited included national news and emergency information, as well as sports and syndicated radio shows.

It also lauded the C-Band’s resistance to rain fade and its ability to achieve “nearly hemispheric coverage” from a single satellite.

Another spectrum migration

The previous allocation of the Lower C-Band, 3.7–3.98 GHz, to 5G services, was successful because most satellite occupants could simply retune equipment to the upper portion of the band, NAB said.

“With those alterations, broadcasters have exhausted their options. As a result, the reallocation of a portion of the Upper C-Band will require many incumbents to move to other platforms,” NAB wrote.

NAB argued that any new platform must preserve the “quality, capability and reliability of C-Band operation” and that all relocation costs must be borne by the new licensees.

It also demanded “enforceable interference protection” for incumbents who remain in the band.

North American Spectrum Alliance points to “marketplace realities”

Finally, members of the North American Spectrum Alliance met with representatives from the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Space Bureau, Office of General Counsel and the Office of Engineering and Technology on Aug. 18.

[Related: “Introducing the North American Spectrum Alliance”]

The alliance represents a broad range of content creators and distributors, including major sports leagues and broadcasters.

In its ex parte filing, the alliance emphasized that the Upper C-Band is used for satellite downlink services that are paired with the 6.205–6.425 GHz band for uplink services.

The alliance explained that the 6 GHz spectrum is already crowded and that a new auction of the Upper C-Band would make it “more difficult, if not impossible, to find available spectrum” for live broadcast events.

Broadcasters are “barely getting by today” with the current spectrum, the alliance argued.

Interference from 5G operations in the Lower C-Band has already increased since the 2020 auction, leading to “severe degradation” in services, the alliance said. It provided a video as proof of an “unacceptable” level of jitter.

The alliance also argued that relying on a collaborative approach between industries to resolve interference is a “failed solution.”

“If the FCC’s policies are to conform to marketplace realities, then they need to acknowledge that the Upper C-Band remains in high demand and that broadcasters require this asset to continue to provide the services they need to respond to the market demand for their programming,” the alliance wrote.

What’s next?

The comment period pertaining to the commission’s original notice of inquiry into Upper C-Band has already passed.

Chairman Brendan Carr has said on multiple occasions that the FCC needs to free up more spectrum, and that doing so “is key to restoring America’s leadership in wireless.”

The aggressive timeline in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes pretty clear that it’s a matter of when the FCC announces a notice for proposed rulemaking on the Upper C-Band spectrum, as Wiley’s Telecom, Media & Technology Practice wrote on July 7.

“As disputes over particular bands emerge, we expect Congress to remain heavily engaged and to defend industry and federal interests as needed,” Wiley said.

(Editor's note: This article originally appeared in our sister publication Radio World. See more on their Business and Law Page)

The broadcast industry is undergoing rapid change and rising uncertainty. As regulatory debates continue, shifting audience expectations and growing demand are accelerating a long-standing move away from legacy satellite models toward smarter, IP-based distribution. With fast moving changes in both policy and business models, broadcasters must act now to prepare for a future that is IP-first.

The Decline of Satellite
Ongoing deregulatory initiatives including C-band reallocation, spectrum repacking, and the future of spectrum usage pose significant questions for satellite-reliant broadcasters. Once driven by cost and complexity concerns, many now doubt satellite’s long-term viability altogether.

With additional C-Band spectrum under review for new 5G and connectivity services, the pressure is mounting. Earlier C-band auctions squeezed spectrum capacity, and now as further reallocations loom, many broadcasters are preparing for an inevitable pivot.

As the industry moves toward the 2028 target for full ATSC 3.0 adoption, broadcasters face a critical juncture. NextGen TV promises new revenue streams and advanced capabilities, including UHD video, targeted advertising, and advanced emergency alerts.

However, deployment depends on regulatory clarity and infrastructure investment. At the same time, rising audience demand for on-demand, cross platform access is pushing legacy models to their limit. Forward-thinking broadcasters now see IP-based distribution and new delivery standards as urgent business imperatives.

Prepare for the IP Transition on Your Own Terms
With C-band capacity increasingly at risk, purpose-built IP distribution options are delivering the scalability, efficiency and satellite-grade reliability broadcasters need, along with the flexibility of IP. The majority of broadcasters are telling us they’re actively preparing for this shift to IP distribution, even if timelines vary. A successful transition doesn’t require abandoning satellite overnight.

It requires a flexible strategy that aligns with existing contracts, controls cost, and supports long-term goals. Fortunately, today’s migration paths are clearer than ever. Hybrid models and regional deployments allow broadcasters to adopt IP on their terms.

At the same time, expanding support for IP native and HLS-supported receivers enables major networks and channel owners to cost-effectively scale IP distribution, streamline group management, and unlock new markets.

As more companies prepare to embrace IP, many ask us how to make the transition easier. It starts with end-to-end project management and hands-on support. Business and operations leaders should hold prospective IP partners to the highest standard, demanding managed services that surpass what satellite and protocol only IP options provide.

This includes real-time monitoring, proactive issue resolution and responsive support. Reliability isn’t optional. Ask vendors the hard questions: How is their IP architecture built? What redundancy and failover measures are in place? Do they operate across Tier 1 data centers? Do they rely on networks and public clouds that are not built exclusively for real time video delivery and workflows? Future-ready distribution must be bulletproof, and your partner in this transition should be able prove all of this.

Growth Opportunities in FAST and NextGen TV
Shifting to IP channel distribution unlocks new audience engagement and revenue opportunities, especially in the booming FAST market, projected to hit $8B globally this year (Omdia).

Whether streaming live sports on Roku or syndicating local news digitally, single-source IP solutions make it easier and faster to deliver premium content. LTN's work with major U.S. networks powering multiple live FAST channels with real-time localized news has shown us just how effective live programming can be in driving both viewer engagement and ad revenue.

NextGen TV, now reaching 76% of US households, is redefining broadcast innovation. Early adopters are already seeing value through addressable ads, shoppable content, interactive overlays, and advanced emergency alerts.

Datacasting advancements from industry leaders like Scripps, Sinclair, Gray Media and Nexstar Media Group are unlocking new use cases, from drone navigation to loT to real-time asset tracking. As the demand for high-speed, precise data grows, broadcasters are well positioned to monetize it if their distribution tech is IP ready. These aren’t future concepts, they’re active opportunities, supported by infrastructure that exists today.

Broadcasters and sports networks like Scripps, MSG Networks, TelevisaUnivision, and the Tennis Channel are already leading the shift to IP-first distribution. As more organizations follow, it’s critical to recognize that not all IP networks are equal.

Broadcasters should prioritize purpose-built video networks designed for live premium content — not retrofitted enterprise tech, protocol-only solutions or costly public cloud options. That means, find a network that is exclusively designed for live video with a host of enrichment options in real-time. Now is the time to assess your infrastructure, accelerate transition plans and choose partners built for this moment. The leaders embracing IP today are already securing audience loyalty and long-term revenue.

TORONTO—The North American Spectrum Alliance has submitted two filings to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) addressing the Upper C-band proceeding and the “Delete, Delete, Delete” proceeding (GN Docket No. 25-133) that urge the agency to preserve valuable spectrum needed for media production and distribution across the United States.

The group was founded in January of 2025 with anchor members that include Sennheiser, FOX Sports, the NFL, MLB, CP Communications, Wisycom, PSSI, ATSC and others. It aims to provide a strong, unified voice for protecting spectrum required for content creation and distribution.

The group strongly opposes further reallocation of broadcast-related spectrum in the United States, which has eroded significantly over the years.

In its Upper C-band filing (GN Docket No. 25-59), the North American Spectrum Alliance argued that the remaining 3.98- 4.2 GHz of C-band spectrum must be retained for incumbent users, as it is irreplaceable for the high-quality, reliable media distribution North Americans have come to expect for live sports events, news and entertainment programming.

The group reminded the FCC that broadcasters and related incumbents have already lost 60% of the C-band during the 2021 auction and noted that further reallocation would cause significant interference, degrade service and result in untenable costs on both large networks and small businesses alike. The Alliance requests that, if an Upper C-band reallocation proceeds, all incumbents be fully reimbursed for replacement services and associated costs.

In the Alliance’s second filing, submitted in response to the “Delete, Delete, Delete” public notice, it urged the FCC to take a more modernized approach to wireless microphone usage, including temporary authorities. The Alliance characterized the current Special Temporary Authorization (STA) system as “outdated, unnecessarily burdensome and unpredictable,” especially as live productions increasingly rely on spectrum that is being reallocated and diminished.

The North American Spectrum Alliance suggests that specific low-power guard bands, such as 616-617 MHz and 805-806 MHz, be permanently open for licensed wireless microphone usage free of STA requirements. Additionally, it suggests removing the 50-device minimum for Part 74 licenses due to declining TV White Space devices and the dynamic needs of event producers.

More information about the North American Spectrum Alliance is available on its website.

WASHINGTON—FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has called for new spectrum auctions for wireless mobile as well as revisiting rules regulating TV loudness.

In a blog posted on Wednesday, the new chairman outlined his plans for the first FCC meeting scheduled for Feb. 27 and cited the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene to advocate for expanded wireless spectrum availability, particularly for first responders.

“Last Friday, I took my first official trip as FCC Chairman, visiting parts of North Carolina that were hit hard by Hurricane Helene,” Carr said. “I met with 911 operators who handled a sixfold surge in calls during the peak of the storm, first responders who led rescue and recovery efforts, telecom workers who quickly restored communications in difficult conditions, and local broadcasters who provided vital information to their communities. These visits only underscored the importance of robust, resilient, and affordable connectivity for Americans across the country. That is why we are taking action right out of the gate to get more spectrum into the hands of consumers—spectrum that can power new connections and innovations.”

To address these deficiencies, Carr said the commission will be “laser-focused on accelerating efforts that can get more spectrum into the marketplace. “

Carr characterizes the auction of AWS-3 spectrum licences—a band of RF used primarily for mobile broadband and public safety—as a “win-win.” He said he hopes to “kick-start” the process this month to complete it by June 23, 2026.

“It brings new spectrum into play for commercial use,” he said. “And the proceeds from this auction will also cover the costs of the national security initiative known as ‘rip and replace’—an effort that is removing untrustworthy technology, like Huawei and ZTE gear, from networks.”

In a move sure to get the attention of broadcasters, Carr also called for opening up additional portions of the C-band spectrum for 5G. Used mostly by TV and radio broadcasters for satellite downlinks, broadcasters have opposed efforts to expand usage of C-band over concerns of interference, particularly for ENG.

Carr hasn't been shy in advocating for more spectrum auctions. At last year’s Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) annual meeting, Carr suggested that auctioning off additional broadcast spectrum would be on the block.

Carr also said the commission plans to vote on final rules to give emergency managers and consumers greater flexibility when it comes to Wireless Emergency Alerts, in particular, deciding when to issue alerts strategically in order to avoid so-called “alert fatigue” (aka “Boy Who Cried Wolf” syndrome).

Carr also said he will revisit the CALM Act, which was passed by Congress 15 years ago to require broadcasters to work with MVPDs to reduce the volume on TV commercials.

“Loud TV commercials are a frustrating headache,” Carr wrote. “You’re sitting there, chilling out, and then BOOM some commercial breaks in at a high volume. I don’t like them, and I’m pretty sure you don’t either. In fact, the FCC has recently seen an uptick in consumer complaints about excessively loud commercials.

“Back in 2010, Congress passed a law to address this issue, but given the rise in complaints I think now is the time for the FCC to revisit the issue,” he added. “Accordingly, we will consider a notice of proposed rulemaking to see if there are additional actions the Commission could take today to make sure TV viewers aren’t inundated by exceedingly loud commercials.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Association of Broadcasters has filed a letter with the FCC expressing concerns about the impact the proposed merger between SES and Intelsat could have on broadcasters.

In the letter, the NAB said it is not taking an official position on the merger, but stressed that it would produce a new company that “would collectively operate nearly all the C-band satellites providing services domestically within the United States.”

It also expressed worries that such a level of concentration would impact both the cost and quality of the C-band satellite services so important to TV and radio broadcasters.

In an Oct. 15, filing, NAB chief legal officer Rick Kaplan wrote, “NAB joins [NCTA–The Internet & Television Association] in urging the Commission to carefully consider the impact that the proposed transaction would have on the quality and cost of C-band satellite services.”

“The C-band is used to deliver network programming to over 1000 broadcast stations affiliated with national networks, as well as for distribution of sports and syndicated programming to commercial radio stations listened to by tens of millions of Americans,” Kaplan wrote. “National Public Radio also relies on the C-band ‘for reliable distribution of programming to the 475 public-radio earth stations that together broadcast public radio programming to 42 million Americans each week.’ As NCTA noted in its comments in this docket, the C-band remains critical for video distribution today. Terrestrial alternatives, such as fiber and wireless services, are not necessarily available at remote broadcaster facilities and may be cost-prohibitive where they are available. Other satellite bands, such as Ka- and Ku-band, suffer from rain fade and do not deliver the reliable service that broadcasters and their viewers and listeners demand.

“If the proposed transaction were consummated, the combined SES and Intelsat collectively would control over 96 percent of the C-band spectrum in the United States,” Kaplan concluded. “While we have no view on how the parties might behave post-merger, we urge the Commission to consider the implications of one entity controlling virtually all C-band spectrum.”

LUXEMBOURG—SES has announced that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has validated the completion of SES’s Phase II accelerated C-band clearing and relocation activities ahead of the Dec. 2023 deadline. 

The announcement will speed up the rollout of 5G services by making additional C-band spectrum available and will make SES eligible for a $2.99 billion payment for moving operations out of the spectrum. SES completed Phase 1 of the program in 2021. 

“We are incredibly proud to meet the FCC’s ambitious Phase II deadline ahead of schedule, and it speaks to the remarkable work and caliber of the SES team, our trusted partners, and our network of vendors over the last five years.” said Ruy Pinto, CEO at SES. “Beyond executing a major strategic project that enables the FCC to usher in the next generation of 5G connectivity and innovation in the United States, I am pleased to say we have placed our customers’ interests first and carefully transitioned our customers to ensure they will be able to continue delivering uninterrupted C-band broadcast and radio services to millions of American homes.”

To move out of the C-band spectrum, SES said that it had completed these Phase II efforts: 

• Launching five new satellites to continue enabling the broadcast delivery of digital television to nearly 120 million TV homes, as well as providing critical data services, in the upper 200 MHz of the C-band (4000-4200 MHz).
• Repacking all of its C-band downlink services in the continental United States (CONUS) into the upper 200 MHz of the C-band and relocating all associated Incumbent Earth Stations throughout CONUS into the upper 200 MHz of the C-band.
• Making all necessary equipment changes to associated Incumbent Earth Stations in CONUS to allow the operators of such Incumbent Earth Stations to receive substantially the same service during and after the transition as they were able to receive before the transition, including providing passband filters to block signals from the 3700-4000 MHz band to all associated Incumbent Earth Stations in CONUS.
• Modifying telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C) operations to receive telemetry above the 4000 MHz band and completing gateway consolidation to its Brewster and Hawley facilities.

The announcement means that in accordance with the FCC Report and Order issued on 3 March 2020, SES has satisfied the Phase II relocation requirements in advance of the 5 December 2023 deadline and is now eligible to receive the accelerated relocation payment of $2.99 billion (before tax of 18-19%). 

SES said it expects this payment to be made in Q4 2023. 

SES received the FCC validation of its Phase I accelerated C-band-clearing activities in 2021 and secured the first accelerated relocation payment of $1 billion in the subsequent year.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—SES has successfully launched the SES-20 and SES-21 satellites using a United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Both C-band satellites will enable SES to continue delivering TV and radio to millions of American homes and provide other critical network communications services. 

SES-20 and SES-21 will operate in the 103 degrees West and 131 degrees West orbital slots, respectively, and are expected to begin operations in November 2022.

These launches are part of a broader Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to clear a portion of C-band spectrum to enable wireless operators to deploy 5G services across the contiguous U.S. (CONUS). As part of this effort, satellite operators such as SES are required to transition their existing services from the lower 300 MHz to the upper 200 MHz of C-band spectrum to make room for 5G.

SES-20 and SES-21 are the second and third C-band satellites that SES has launched as part of its effort to free up the lower 300 MHz of C-band spectrum across the U.S. by December 2023 while maintaining uninterrupted services. SES-22 was the first C-band satellite to be launched on June 29, 2022.

“The successful launch of SES-20 and SES-21 will allow us to support our customers in delivering high-quality sports and entertainment to tens of millions of US households while delivering on our promise to repurpose spectrum to enable U.S. leadership in 5G,” said Steve Collar, CEO of SES. “The second phase of our U.S. C-band clearing activities is fully on track and we are grateful for the hard work of our partners at Boeing and ULA.”

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—SES announced the successful launch of its SES-22 satellite onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX’s Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States on Wednesday.

This is the first of SES’s C-band satellites designed to free up the lower 300 MHz of C-band spectrum. Built by Thales Alenia Space, it will operate in the 135 degrees West orbital slot and will deliver TV and radio to millions of American homes and provide other critical data transmission services. SES-22 is expected to start operations by early August 2022.

The launch of SES-22 is part of the FCC’s years-long campaign to clear a portion of C-band spectrum to enable wireless operators to deploy 5G services across the contiguous US (CONUS). In response commission mandates, satellite operators such as SES are required to transition their existing services from the lower 300 MHz to the upper 200 MHz of C-band spectrum to make room for 5G.

To meet the FCC’s accelerated deadline of clearing C-band spectrum across the US by December 2023 while maintaining uninterrupted services, SES says it will launch five satellites—SES-18, SES-19, SES-20, SES-21 and SES-22 in 2022.

“We are thrilled with the successful launch of SES-22, thanks to our partners at Thales Alenia Space and SpaceX,” said Steve Collar, CEO of SES. “The launch of SES-22, together with other upcoming C-band satellite launches scheduled this year, will enable us to continue providing the high-quality services that our customers have been accustomed to over the last several decades, while freeing up spectrum that will enable the US to rapidly unlock the promise of 5G.”

“The successful launch of SES 22 is the result of our long-standing and fruitful collaboration with SES,” said Hervé Derrey, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “This achievement reflects the robustness and flight-proven heritage of our Spacebus 4000 B2 platform combined with our ability to timely and quickly deliver SES-22, two key elements leading to the decision of SES working with us to replace its existing C-Band fleet.”

The SES-22 spacecraft had a fast on-ground delivery time as satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space shipped it only 22 months after it was ordered. SES-22 is the seventh SES satellite launched by SpaceX over the last 10 years.

U.S. Airlines are warning of “chaos” and “incalculable” disruptions to air traffic if Verizon and AT&T follow through with deployment of high-speed 5G services this week.

In a letter to Federal officials including Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, Airlines for America, an industry trade group said that “the harm that will result from deployment on January 19 is substantially worse than we originally anticipated.” The letter was signed by the largest U.S. airlines as well as UPS and FedEx. 

The companies asked Buttigieg to delay the deployment of 5G to towers located within a two mile perimeter of airport runways that the FAA says are areas where 5G could interfere with sensitive equipment used to control air traffic. They warned of major disruptions, not only to domestic travel but international as well. 

“Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded,” the lobby group said.

United warned that the 5G rollout will have a “devastating” impact on aviation, and could negatively affect an estimated 1.25 million United passengers, 15,000 flights and cargo shipping through more than 40 U.S. airports. United recommended the Federal government look to how countries around the world have handled similar situations.

“Governments in other countries have successfully designed policies to ensure the safe deployment of 5G technology and we’re simply asking the U.S. government to do the same,” United said in a statement. “We implore the Biden administration to act quickly and apply the same common sense solutions here that have clearly worked so well around the world.”

The 5G networks being deployed this week were previously used in C-Band, which uses spectrum adjacent to that used in air traffic control. The airlines have continuously opposed the FCC’s campaign to auction off the spectrum over the past several years for this very reason. The FCC has deemed the use of the C-Band spectrum for 5G safe. 

AT&T and Verizon had originally planned to deploy its 5G networks in early December but had delayed deployment twice after agreeing to safety reviews. 

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Harmonic has announced that it has successfully completed technology upgrades associated with SES's Phase 1 transition plan for C-band spectrum in just nine months. This was accomplished utilizing Harmonic's XOS Edge software-based solution for satellite media processing and edge delivery.

"Tight-knit collaboration between partnering companies led to a successful world-first deployment of software solutions for the transformation of C-band spectrum, and we are proud of this momentous achievement," said Jeremy Rosenberg, senior vice president, business development, at Harmonic. "Deploying software on off-the-shelf appliances for both the uplink and at hundreds of affiliate locations enabled rapid completion of this project, exceeding the FCC's stringent deadline. This project is a testament to the flexibility that Harmonic's edge media processing provides and has opened the door to additional and ongoing opportunities with video programmers for new edge distribution strategies."

Harmonic's XOS Edge media processing solution, integrated with encryption from NAGRA, enables satellite delivery networks to seamlessly distribute video services with optimized bandwidth and improved quality utilizing the inherent flexibility of software, Harmonic explained. 

"We are excited to lead this transformation for the communications industry and accelerate the path to 5G," said Steve Corda, vice president of technology at SES. "Freeing up 5G spectrum while maintaining the quality and resilience of critical video services was a significant challenge. By adopting state-of-the-art edge technology, we can ensure that millions of people across the United States will continue to receive high-quality programming."

The project ensured a seamless transition for Comcast Technology Services (CTS) and its Managed Satellite Distribution affiliates, the companies added. 

"The task of freeing up C-band spectrum was massive and complex," said Allison Olien, vice president and general manager of the Communications and Technology Provider Suite at Comcast Technology Solutions. "We are in the midst of a significant technology change, and SES and Harmonic provided a clear and streamlined transition path that assures service continuity for our partners and customers."

Further information about Harmonic is available at www.harmonicinc.com.

HERNDON, Va.—USSI Global has chosen ST Engineering iDirect broadcast technology to modernize and compress the distribution uplinks of satellite programmers so they can comply with the FCC C-band spectrum transition.

ST Engineering iDirect will provide broadcast equipment, including M1600 modulators, USS02012 redundancy switches and FR0730 up and down converters, to enable USSI Global to assist its customers in making a smooth transition. The modernized compression systems will serve sports distributors of MLB, NHL and NBA content and several major program distribution systems in the United States. The upgrade is expected to be completed by August 2023, USSI Global said.

“Sports broadcasting is integral to the media sector in the United States, and the transition from the C-band is a critical one,” said Darren Ludington, regional vice president of sales, Americas, at ST Engineering iDirect.”

The FCC C-band spectrum transition will clear 300MHz of the 500MHz band for 5G mobile services. Relocated C-band users will be moved to the remaining 200MHz.

The transition will require affected providers to navigate complex technical challenges, including installation of new and existing antennas and repointing and filtering antennas that are upgraded, it said.

“This is a critical and highly visible project that represents an important first element in the FCC initiative to clear the C-band spectrum for 5G. The ground solutions track is part of our core business focus, both now and in the future for our company,” said Bob Dunbar, senior vice president of business development at USSI Global.

“We have worked with ST Engineering iDirect for a number of decades, and they are a trusted technology partner. We have used its equipment as the solution in most all of our customer uplink modernizations around the globe with several compression vendors. Through its highly innovative and efficient technology and our strong, proven partnership, we know that we can enable the smooth transition for the programmers affected by the C-band clearing compression requirement. We also look forward to seeing our partnership continue to flourish in the future as we jointly leverage emerging opportunities in satellite ground segment.”

More information is available on USSI Global website.

ALBION, Mich.—With the December 5, 2021 deadline for the first phase of spectrum clearing approaching quickly,  Challenger Communications has announced that it has antenna systems and mounts as well as technical expertise, and installation support available to help Earth station operators affected by C-band relocation. 

"The 5G rollout is underway, and as the C-band spectrum clearing deadlines come ever closer, Earth station operators have less time to plan and execute a successful transition," said Gene Sorgi, president at Challenger Communications. "With our long history of providing reliable antenna systems for various projects, we offer both the products and expertise — plus relationships with installers across the country — to help simplify preparation, make installation easier, and ensure uninterrupted service. We recommend preparing ground equipment, including antennas, filters, and LNBs, sooner than later to avoid time and cost issues that will come as demand increases and time runs out." 

Available equipment includes Challenger's aluminum Prime Focus antennas with excellent RF gain and have an increased signal-to-noise ratio, which means greater tolerance to changing weather and atmospheric conditions, the company said. 

The 3.8-meter and 4.5-meter antennas can be installed by just two people using a ladder. Both antennas in this family consist of contoured, die-formed petals and outboard skirts, all powder-coated, and include stainless steel hardware. These high-gain, receive-only, C/Ku-band dishes are outstanding performers for 4K UHD and HDTV, as well as for headend applications, GOES weather systems, radio broadcasting, and more, Challenger said. 

In addition to supplying its 3.8-meter and 4.5-meter Prime Focus satellite antenna systems, the most common solutions for U.S. operations, Challenger offers 6.3-meter and 7.5-meter antennas often required for users situated far away from the geostationary equatorial orbit (GEO), such as Alaska and Hawaii. 

Challenger Communications also offers a 3.8-meter-offset antenna for Uplink GEO applications. 

Further information about Challenger Communications and the company's C-band products and services is online at www.CbandReady.com.

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission has taken another step forward in making additional mid-band spectrum available for flexible use, particularly 5G services, by granting licenses in the 3.7 GHz service.

After completing the auction of the spectrum earlier this year, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has now announced the grant of 5,676 licenses in the 3.7 GHz service (3.7 to 3.98 GHz, also referred to as the C-band). 

The “action keeps the transition of this band to flexible use on track, paving the way for carriers to use this spectrum to provide 5G and other advanced wireless services,” the FCC reported. 

“These mid-band licenses are the sweet spot for 5G deployment,” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement.  “That’s because they have the right mix of capacity and propagation that will help us reach more people in more places faster.  With these licenses in hand, more carriers can deploy mid-band 5G, which means faster speeds over much wider coverage areas and more robust competition.”

The auction generated more than $81 billion in revenue for the 280 MHz of spectrum being sold from the 3.7-3.98 GHz band, making it the FCC’s most lucrative spectrum auction. The goal of the C-band auction is to boost 5G development.

WASHINGTON—The FCC’s C-band auction has taken another step toward conclusion, with the commission announcing an end to bidding in the assignment phase, which also marks the conclusion of all bidding in the auction.

The assignment phase began on Feb. 8 and allowed for winning bidders from the clock auction of initial spectrum (57 bidders acquiring 5,684 licenses) to have the option to bid on specific combinations of frequencies. Those who chose not to participate in this phase of the auction will still get contiguous frequencies that correspond with the number of blocks they won.

A public notice is expected to be published in the next few business days, per the FCC, that will share the complete recap of the results of the assignment phase, including bidder identities.

The initial part of the auction generated more than $81 billion in revenue for the 280 MHz of spectrum being sold from the 3.7-3.98 GHz band. The goal of the C-band auction is to boost 5G development.

“The successful close of bidding in the C-band auction notches another win for U.S. leadership in 5G by delivering 280 MHz of the prime, mid-band spectrum needed to power high-speed internet services,” said FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who would like to see additional 5G auctions take place in the 2.5 GHz and 3.45 GHz bands as well.

WASHINGTON—After raising more than $80.9 billion thus far, the FCC’s C-band auction is set to continue with the assignment phase scheduled to begin on Feb. 8.

FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has released a public notice announcing the upcoming assignment phase, where bidders that won generic spectrum blocks during the clock phase of the auction will now have the chance to bid on preferred combinations of frequency-specific license assignments, consistent with their clock phase winnings.

Fifty-seven bidders won the 5,684 spectrum blocks available during the clock phase. Now, any of those bidders can bid on frequency-specific licenses, though they are not required. If they do not bid, they will be assigned contiguous frequencies corresponding to the number of generic blocks they won.

The C-band auction is selling 280 MHz of spectrum in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band for the development of 5G. Previous occupants of that spectrum will transition to the upper 4.0-4.2 GHz of the C-band over the next few years.

“This auction has exceeded expectations, and, at this point, we are pushing forward to get this critical piece of mid-band spectrum to market quickly, where it will help American consumers tap into next generation wireless services,” said Rosenworcel. “I thank the FCC staff who work so hard to ensure the success of our spectrum auctions. Few things we do have as great an impact on the day-to-day lives of the American people as our work to ensure spectrum is available for wireless connectivity.”

The FCC’s public notice explains the assignment phase process, including how to access bidding options, view sequence and timing for assignment rounds and identify what rounds they can participate in. A mock auction will take place on Feb. 4 before the real deal on Feb. 8. 

WASHINGTON—Any incumbent C-band earth station antennas that are currently listed as no longer operational or have not responded to the FCC or C-band operators have until mid April to verify their status with the FCC’s International Bureau.

In a public notice dated Jan. 19, the FCC is giving these operators 90 days to submit a filing to the International Bureau affirming their continued operation and the intent to participate in the C-band transition, or be terminated and lose their incumbent status as of April 19.

The RMS US LLP compiled the list of earth station antennas that have been reported as either no longer operational or have failed to respond to RSM communications. RSM is responsible for coordinating with the five incumbent C-band satellite operators—Eutelsat, Intelsast, SES, StarOne and Telesat—to ensure that all incumbent earth stations are accounted for during the transition.

Per the FCC public notice, while the vast majority of earth station operators have responded and are accounted for, a limited number of incumbent earth stations remain unclaimed by any of the satellite operators or were unresponsive after multiple attempts at contact.

The FCC will now presume that any of the stations categorized as either not operational or unresponsive have ceased operations. As a result, they are not entitled to interference protection from the new licenses moving into the C-band.

If a station is misidentified as having ceased operations, it has until April 19 to make one of two filings. One is to file to remove those antennas from IBFS as no longer operational; the other is to file in ECFS IB Docket No. 20-205 to assert those antennas are still operational.

Here are the stations that the FCC has confirmed as no longer in operation or that have been unresponsive.

For more information, read the full public notice from the FCC. 

WASHINGTON—The clock phase of the C-band auction has come to a close, with the FCC announcing that its sale of mid-band 5G spectrum generated more than $80.9 billion in proceeds. In total, there were 57 bidders on 5,684 licenses.

The C-band auction was the selling of licenses in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band of spectrum, as part of the FCC’s plan to clear the lower 300 MHz of the 3.7-4.2 GHz mid-band for the purpose of 5G development. Previous occupants—primarily satellite operators—of the 3.7-3.98 GHz band will transition to the upper 4.0-4.2 GHz portion. A 20 MHz band will be used as a guard band between the satellite operators and new wireless users.

The C-band auction was the FCC's largest spectrum auction ever, with the $80.9 billion far exceeding the previous record of $44.9 billion (FCC’s 2014 AWS-3 auction).

“These results represent a strong endorsement by the private sector of the service rules and transition plan put in place by the FCC to quickly make the C-band a critical part of 5G rollout in the United States. And they vindicate the hard choices the FCC made during the C-band proceeding—and that we made them,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “The FCC confronted a host of technical, legal, practical, and political challenges in structuring this auction. It would have been easy to delay. But we rightly pushed ahead and overcame every one of those obstacles. As a result, we significantly advanced United States leadership in 5G and have enabled America’s wireless consumers to more quickly benefit from 5G services.”

The next step in the process will see winning bidders bid for frequency-specific licenses in the assignment phase. The FCC will release a public notice announcing further details, including date and time of when the assignment phase will begin.

For more information, visit the FCC’s website. 

The insatiable demand for mobile data, driven by a multitude of consumer and business applications, is helping to advance the worldwide rollout of 5G. The potential 5G uses are themselves exciting and diverse, however spectrum must be made available to make this possible. 

The broadcast and media industry currently uses some of the most desirable spectrum needed for 5G, so inevitably there are consequences. However, the rethink prompted by this allows broadcast and media organizations to look at advanced cloud and IP technologies that can not only solve the spectrum issue, but can also offer new, more agile, paradigms, allowing faster adoption of new capabilities and more flexibility for the future.

RULING THE (AIR)WAVES

Every country has a regulator that allocates radio frequency (RF) spectrum licenses. In the United States, this is the FCC. The spectrum is coordinated by the International Telecommunications Union in its World Radiocommunication Conference and uses spectrum in three different bands: low, mid and high. Each of these bands poses unique benefits and limitations depending on the application. 

The low-band spectrum, in the region used by terrestrial broadcasters, has excellent reach. However, because the frequencies are low, the allocated bandwidth—and therefore, the data rate—is limited. The high-band (or "mmWave") spectrum has existing users in the satellite uplink market and is where the massive data rates synonymous with 5G exist. However, this has a very short reach and is ideal for fixed wireless terminals. Mid-band spectrum is an excellent balance between reach and bandwidth but includes the C-band frequencies used for satellite distribution, such as national channels, in the U.S. and other countries.

C-band refers typically to frequencies in the 3.7 GHz to 4.2 GHz range. The U.S.'s dominant use of this range is for program distribution of video feeds to broadcast, cable and telco headends. However, to make some of this spectrum available for 5G, C-band users need to take action now.

THE VALUE OF SPECTRUM

Most countries are currently holding spectrum auctions for various ranges within C-band. In 2018, Italy auctioned a block of low-band spectrum priced at €34 million per MHz. The auctions that taking place in the U.S. valued mid-band spectrum at $45.8 million per MHz. 

Low-band and mid-band frequencies are in strong demand, and useful-sized blocks of frequencies often sell for greater than $1 billion. This provides a strong financial incentive for the regulators to raise revenue from such auctions, even if it means compensating existing users to move off those frequencies.

As allocation for mobile use increases and the momentum of 5G deployments intensifies, existing users may need to take action. In the U.S., the FCC has created an incentive program to encourage existing C-band users to migrate quickly, freeing up the frequency resource.

SPECTRUM TRANSITIONING STRATEGIES

For broadcasters, programmers and contribution links affected by spectrum reallocation, a strategic approach is needed to mitigate its impact and end up with improved capability. Potential strategies can range from using the spectrum more efficiently, moving the frequency, moving away from RF to IP or a combination of these. 

For the simple spectrum efficiency approach, there are two main techniques by which the spectrum can be used more efficiently while retaining the same services. They are to improve modulation or to use better video compression.

First-generation DTT modulation (such as DVB-T and ATSC 1.0) had moderately efficient spectral efficiency; however, there was a significant gap between those modulation schemes and the theoretical limit, aka “Shannon's limit.” Later versions of both DVB and ATSC modulation standards allowed that theoretical limit to be approached more closely. These improvements were implemented in DVB-T2 and ATSC 3.0. 

For DVB-T, existing services can migrate from DVB-T to DVB-T2 modulation. Since DVB-T2 has existed as a standard since 2009, the vast majority of today's Digital TVs and DTT STBs are likely to support DVB-T2, making a migration plan feasible. DVB-T2 also opens the opportunity for newer video compression.

On the other hand, ATSC has only recently released the new ATSC 3.0 specification, so it may be some years before there is sufficient adoption of the new modulation and video encoding formats to allow easy migration from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0.

IMPROVED VIDEO COMPRESSION

Improved video compression allows the same quality video to be transmitted using a lower bitrate and thereby reduces the need for RF spectrum. Two optimizations that can be considered: a) use a more recent video coding standard; or b) use more efficient video encoders. Taking the DVB-T to DVB-T2 example, the digital TVs that support DVB-T2 typically also support MPEG-4 AVC compression, meaning the legacy of MPEG-2 video could be eliminated in the same transition. 

Similarly, anywhere that has decode capability for a newer standard can make that transition. Of course, that can always be made the case by deploying new decoders. HEVC and, most recently, VVC, offer substantial efficiency benefits over AVC (and in VVC's case, over HEVC). This may be particularly important because UHD resolution video has become more prevalent over the last few years, which creates demand for higher bitrates. 

MOVING AWAY FROM RF

In some cases, squeezing bandwidth and using less spectrum may only delay the inevitable—and possibly just by a few years. So, the next available strategy is to look at alternatives to RF. This has different consequences for different applications, but it is possible to identify some applications for which this more radical step may immediately be a good choice. 

The significant improvements in available IP network connectivity mean that IP-based options are much more attractive than might have been the case only a few years ago. Contribution links can take advantage of IP connections using private fiber or global IP network service providers. The increasing availability of cloud service providers' networks, combined with new protocols such as SRT, offers a realistic path to broadcast contribution using IP networks built for internet traffic. 

Broadcast and cable programmer distribution networks can likewise consider transitioning to an IP-based or hybrid approach. This has more advantages as it brings new operational models and a more future-proofed approach, offering significantly better agility for new services and formats.

The reallocation of spectrum for 5G is well underway and is sure to continue. The consequences of that change are already felt by broadcasters, programmers and users of contribution links. This trend will continue for as long as the demand for 5G mobile data keeps increasing, and steps must be taken to deal with these changes.

Raul Aldrey is chief product officer for MediaKind.

The author of this commentary is director, business development for CommScope.

As the auction for the much-coveted C-band spectrum kicks off, we are another step into the complicated process to relocate or repack C-Band FSS earth stations.

While the process has been very well explained, it’s worth taking a little more time to discuss some more background and some of the impacts.

Let’s start off by highlighting the new band plan illustrated below in Fig.1.

The Federal Communications Commission has reallocated the lower 280 MHz of the band to be auctioned for new 5G uses and renamed it the 3.7 GHz Service.

This means that all the earth stations in the 3.7–4.0 GHz portion of the band will have to be repacked, or relocated, into the upper 200 MHz (4.0–4.2 GHz). The FCC also allowed for a 20 MHz guard band between the new 5G entrants and the relocated earth stations.

Repacking will be accomplished in two phases:

• Phase I – Earth stations in the lower 100 MHz of the band (3.7–3.8 GHz) must be repacked by Dec. 5, 2021.
• Phase II – Remaining earth stations must be repacked by Dec. 5, 2023.

Based on the FCC’s latest list of incumbent earth stations, there are close to 16,000 as shown in Fig. 2 seen farther below. Intel has put these into the following categories:

• Broadcast, Religious, Radio, Data: 9%
• Cable: 9%
• LDS: 19%
• Other: 63%

The majority of these earth stations are capable of receiving across the entire 3.7–4.2 GHz band. In addition, since these earth stations typically receive from several satellites, they are configured to operate across the full satellite arc. Thus, the challenge is compressing earth stations into 200 MHz from 500 MHz, possibly configuring to receive from fewer satellites and in some cases, actual physical relocation.

The effect of this moving or compression on the earth stations will be mostly related to modification of existing equipment including:

• Limiting their receive band to the 4.0–4.2 GHz range
• Re-orientation of antennas to different satellites as needed
• Possible filtering required to mitigate interference
• Possible physical relocation if new siting is required or desired

The main challenge for earth station licensees will be managing the logistics and timing required to make the changes needed to their respective systems.

Fortunately, earth station operators don’t necessarily have to foot the bill for this on their own.

The FCC proceeding for this band clearing / repurposing / auctioning is complex, but it affords earth station operators the opportunity to have repacking or relocation costs covered by the new 3.7 GHz Service entrants.

In late July, the FCC issued a Public Notice (DA 20-802) announcing publication of its “3.7 GHz Transition Final Cost Category Schedule Of Potential Expenses And Estimated Costs.” This catalog describes the potential expenses and estimated costs that incumbent earth station operators may incur as a result of the repacking or relocation.

The FCC worked with RKF Engineering Solutions LLC to develop the catalog. It includes any necessary changes that will allow the earth stations to receive C-Band services throughout the transition—and after the applicable relocation deadline once satellite operators have relocated their services into the upper portion of the band.

The FCC has noted that it is likely most earth stations that are repacking will require filtering to prevent interference from new 5G users operating below 3980 MHz. It is important to note that this conclusion is supported by a multi-stakeholder group representing a diverse collection of many different interested companies and organizations who assembled to study terrestrial-satellite coexistence during and after the transition.

The group (called Technical Working Group 1, “TWG-1”) created a best practices report concluding that: “3.7 GHz Service operators and earth station operators should work cooperatively to avoid interference problems during the network design stage and continue to work cooperatively to resolve interference problems that may arise.”

Members of the TWG discussed possible coordination between new 3.7 GHz Service operators and incumbent earth station operators — yet could not come to a conclusion on how to establish and manage a coordination process. Earth station operators may wish to keep track of the 3.7 GHz Service auction results and possibly contact auction winners in your area, particularly those operating in the 3.9–3.98 GHz portion of the band.

As mentioned, this is one of the most complex proceedings the FCC has undertaken, similar to the TV station repacking where all the TV stations above channel 38 were repacked into channels 2-31 to make way for new wireless operators.

The good news is that this completed with few major issues, other than taking a little longer than expected. So, as we continue stepping through this process, it’s helpful knowing this isn’t the first time. As well, there is plenty of information and help available to smooth the transition.

This story originally appeared on TVT's sister publication Radio World.

WASHINGTON—The FCC is moving to five shorter rounds for its C-band auction, which has been drawing lots of dollars for 5G spectrum.

The auction continued with four, one-hour rounds Wednesday, Dec. 16, drawing more than $1 billion in additional gross proceeds after each round.

But according to the FCC website, starting Friday, Dec. 18, there will be five, half-hour rounds. The FCC moved from three to four rounds Dec. 11.

The FCC traditionally boosts the number of rounds and shortens them as a way to get bidders to get off the dime and speed the auction.

As of round 24, the last round Wednesday, gross bids totaled $15,242,167,882, up over $1.3 billion from the previous round's $13,890,681,482.

The FCC is auctioning 280 MHz of mid-band spectrum for terrestrial 5G broadband, moving incumbent satellite operators and their clients, including broadcasters and cable operators, to the upper 200 MHZ of the band.

Estimates for the value of the band vary, but some have put it at $25 billion-$30 billion. 

FCC chairman Ajit Pai this week said that he expects that when the auction is over it will have been one of the FCC's most significant actions to advance 5G.

The FCC voted last February to free up 300 MHz of the C-Band for 5G, 280 of that to be auctioned and 20 MHz to be used as a guard band between wireless users and the incumbent satellite operators that will use the remaining 200 MHz to continue to deliver network programming to broadcaster and cable operator (and other) clients.

Bidders include AT&T, Cellco Partnership, Cox, T-Mobile, and United States Cellular.

UPDATED: This story has been updated from an earlier version to share new numbers from the C-band auction.

WASHINGTON—The C-Band auction has pushed past $2 billion, totaling $2,110,528,700 in bids after three rounds.

Currently (Wednesday, Dec. 9), bidding is in three, one-hour rounds and the FCC has announced that Thursday's bidding will follow the same schedule, with rounds at 10-11 a.m., 1-2 p.m., and 4-5 p.m.

If past is prologue, the FCC will eventually increase the number of rounds and decrease bidding time to help speed the auction.

Fifty-seven bidders qualified for the auction (auction 107), which began Dec. 8. That list includes some familiar names: AT&T, Cellco Partnership, Cox, T-Mobile, and United States Cellular.

The FCC is auctioning 5,684 flexible-use licenses for spectrum in the 3.7– 3.98 GHz band in the contiguous U.S. 

While use is flexible, bidders are expected to use it to expand their 5G footprints. There are 57 qualified bidders.

Some predictions put the value of the spectrum—280 GHz worth of mid-band frequencies—at $25 billion-$30 billion, but the C-Band Alliance says it could be worth as much as $77 billion.

WASHINGTON—At 10 a.m. ET today, Dec. 8, bidding for the C-band spectrum auction officially opened, the FCC has announced. The commission says that this is its largest mid-band 5G spectrum auction to date.

The C-band auction will make available 280 MHz of spectrum in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band for the purpose of 5G development. There are 5,684 new flexible-use overlay licenses based on Partial Economic Areas available through the auction.

The previous occupants of the C-band, which consists mostly of satellite operators, are entirely clearing the 3.7-4.0 GHz band—20 MHz are being left clear as a buffer—and relocating to the upper 200 MHz of the C-band (4.0-4.2 GHz). The first phase of the transition, which will clear 120 MHz from 3.7-3.82 GHz part of the band, will conclude on Dec. 5, 2021. The second phase, clearing the remaining spectrum, is scheduled to conclude by Dec. 5, 2023.

“This is a big day for American consumers and U.S. leadership in 5G,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “By freeing up this wide swath of critical mid-band spectrum, the FCC is paving the way for Americans to receive fast 5G wireless services. Together with the recent success of our 3.5 GHz band auction, our work to auction the 2.5 GHz and 3.45 GHz bands in 2021 and the other ground-breaking spectrum auctions we’ve held since 2017, our 5G FAST Plan is in full swing. American consumers and businesses will benefit from this FCC’s efforts for year’s to come.”

For more information on the C-band auction and transition, visit TVT’s C-band page. 

WASHINGTON—Once and for all, compensation for integrated receivers/decoders (IRDs) will not be included in the Final Cost Catalog for C-band transition expenses, as the FCC has formally denied an appeal from ACA Connects to do so.

In a Memorandum Opinion and Order, the FCC says that the cost catalog “was consistent with the directives and policy goals of the 3.7 GHz Report and Order and implementing rules, was compliant with the procedural requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act and the commission’s ex parte rules and was based on ample evidence that supports its factual findings.” 

The commission said the ACAC failed to provide evidence that the approach for reimbursement would not provide adequate coverage for C-band transition costs.

This issue goes back to July when the cost catalog was released and ACAC, who represents small and mid-sized cable/broadband providers, first argued that the reimbursement for IRDs was paramount to many stations' C-band transition. Despite this call, the Wireless Bureau did not include the cost of IRDs in the Final Cost Catalog.

Including the IRD costs would make it easier for cable ops to move to fiber delivery, but the FCC said the lump sum was meant to approximate the cost of moving earth stations, not moving to a new distribution technology.

The FCC concluded that the costs of integrated IRDS should be attributed to space station operators, not earth station operators and that the lumps sum payment process was "procedurally sound."

ACAC ultimately attempted to go through the courts to stay the deadline for when C-band participants were required to choose whether they would accept a lump sum payment for the transition, but the court chose to deny ACAC’s effort.

The C-band auction is scheduled to take place on Dec. 8.

The full FCC Memorandum and Order is available online. 

HUNT VALLEY, Md.—Sinclair Broadcast Group has selected USSI Global to modernize its satellite network to ensure compliance with the FCC’s C-band satellite spectrum transition.

The pair inked a three-year deal during which time USSI Global will inspect and upgrade Sinclair’s large satellite infrastructure. All work is expected to be completed before the FCC’s Dec. 2023 Phase II deadline, USSI Global said.

The company will also provide Sinclair with a suite of managed services to maintain its satellite network during the transition and after with the goal of reducing costs and providing a consistent level of maintenance and service.

“Similar to the TV spectrum repack initiative that just ended, the C-band spectrum transition is a technically challenging and multi-layered procedure that will affect tens of thousands of earth station antennas,” said Del Parks, CTO and senior vice president, Sinclair Broadcast Group.

“USSI Global offers the comprehensive project management experience required to navigate Sinclair through what will be a very time-sensitive and labor-intensive transition, while ensuring our satellite services continue to operate without interruption.”

Sinclair currently operates 97 satellite facilities around the country, providing uplink and downlink services for the 190 stations it owns, operates or provides with services, USSI Global said. 

The FCC is clearing 300 MHz of C-band’s 500 MHz band for 5G mobile services. C-Band operators cleared will be relocated to the remaining 200 MHz. 

PLUS: C-Band Transition Best Practice Advice: Work Together

USSI Global will assign a large team of RF field engineers and support staff to manage each phase of the Sinclair project, making possible immediate response to issues as well as accelerating repairs thereby limiting service disruptions, the company said.

USSI Global’s technical management strategy includes system design and integration, product procurement, commissioning and post-sales support. The company will guide Sinclair technicians through all system changes, which involves retuning nearly 500 satellite systems and modernizing satellite dishes, filters, IRDs and antennas across the group’s facilities, USSI Global said.

“Modernization of the satellite infrastructure requires a strategic partner that understands everything from re-grounding systems to maximizing the performance of the infrastructure,” said Harvey Arnold, vice president of Engineering, Sinclair Broadcast Group.

“USSI Global’s project management experience will ensure we meet challenging deadlines, while their technical knowledge will optimize our satellite contribution and distribution services upon moving to a new C-band frequency.”

More information is available on the company’s website.  

WASHINGTON—As they say, teamwork makes the dream work—that not only applies to sports but to the upcoming C-band transition, according to the advisory group that has developed the best practices for the process.

Technical Working Group #1 has provided the FCC with its latest “Best Practices for Terrestrial-Satellite Coexistence During the C-Band Transition.” The working group’s members include NCTA—the Internet & Television Association, NAB and cable and broadcast network companies.

They summarize their basic theory as such: “3.7 GHz Service operators and earth station operators should work cooperatively to avoid interference problems during the network design stage and continue to work cooperatively to resolve interference problems that may arise.”

A more detailed explanation of the working group’s proposed best practices are available online.

The C-band transition will begin with the C-band auction on Dec. 8, where 280 MHz of the C-band (3.7-3.98 GHz) are set to be auctioned off to help support the development of 5G. Broadcast, cable and satellite operators that currently use that band are going to transition to the upper 200 MHz of the C-band. The full transition is expected to be completed by 2025.

For more information on the C-band transition, visit TV Technology's hub page.

WASHINGTON—The FCC’s C-band auction is less than a month away, and the full list of qualified bidders has been announced. Among the 57 companies set to take part in the auction are big names like AT&T, Cox and T-Mobile.

The C-band auction, taking place on Dec. 8, will see the sale of spectrum in the lower 3.7-3.98 GHz band to be used for the development of 5G. The current occupants of the C-band, which includes satellite operators, are going to transition to the upper 200 GHz of the C-band.

To qualify for the C-band auction, the companies’ short-form applications were deemed complete and in compliance. As a result, they are now automatically registered for the auction. The FCC says that 17 applicants did not qualify to bid.

Of the 57 companies, 22 applied and were approved for rural building credits, while 18 were granted small business credits.

The full list of 57 qualifiers is available online. 

MELBOURNE, Fla.—USSI Global has launched a service to mitigate possible interference that may occur in the C-band as broadcasters and cable networks transition from the lower 300 MHz band to make room for 5G services.

Operators of C-band services in the 300 MHz band will be moved to what remains of the 200 MHz band by 2025. An auction for the spectrum begins in December, and the relocation of existing C-band users in the 300 MHz band will occur with deadlines in late 2021, 2023 and 2025.

The new USSI Global interference mitigation service offers a full range of project management services, including site inspection, installation and commissioning. The company also can modernize all satellite systems and infrastructure, it said.

USSI Global, which is a turnkey provider of customized network, broadcast and digital signage systems and services around the world, plans to have a dedicated team of RF and satellite engineers work on each relocation project. It will offer C-band users an option to offload network operation, monitoring and maintenance to USSI Global technicians, as well as a dedicated around-the-clock call center to respond to problems, the company said.

“The C-band spectrum is occupied by television and radio broadcasters, as well as cable networks, that use satellite networks for contribution and distribution,” said David S. Christiano, USSI Global CEO and president.

“Our C-band Mitigation Interference service will guide operators through complex, time-sensitive transformations and complete system upgrades that optimize their network infrastructure for the next generation. USSI Global brings together every project management and customer service element to ensure smooth transitions for our customers.”

The company will perform a full inspection of existing satellite facilities, after which its field engineers will manage all technical changes to the network infrastructure. It will update and repaint existing antennas as well as install new antennas, filters, IRDs and other components to modernized satellite networks. USSI Global will work with multiple suppliers while procuring new technology to get the best price, the company said.

USSI Global also will retune and repoint antennas to comply with frequency changes while enabling its clients to maintain uninterrupted service during the upgrade and transition, it said.

More information is available on the company’s website. 

WASHINGTON—The FCC has picked the companies to operate the clearinghouse for payments to those affected by the C-Band spectrum repack in the 3.7–4.2 GHz range.

Radio and TV stations will be able to finally recoup costs incurred in changing equipment as the result of spectrum changes and elimination.

CohnReznick, an accounting and business services company, will lead with Squire Patton Boggs LLP, a Washington law firm, and Intellicom Technologies, a satellite communications specialist, supporting.

The FCC had stakeholders such as satellite companies such as Eutelsat, Intelsat License, SES Americom and other interested parties such as the NAB, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, American Cable Association, CTIA, Competitive Carriers Association, and Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, form a committee for the selection process.

The companies will collect claims for the costs from entities such as radio and TV stations and make apportionment decisions for the claimants. It can also resolve disputes.

WASHINGTON—With the C-band auction just a little more than two months away, the FCC has announced it is giving eligible satellite operators in the C-band a one-month window to adapt their transition plans now that lump sum elections have been finalized.

Broadcast and cable operators currently residing in the lower portion of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band are relocating to the upper portion, as the FCC will hold an auction for 280 MHz (there will also be a 20 MHz guard band)  of the lower band with the goal of helping 5G development. As part of this process, eligible Fixed Satellite Service space station operators, incumbent FSS earth station operators and incumbent Fixed Service licensees are set to be reimbursed for their transition costs.

The earth stations had the option to choose between accepting a lump sum payment for their transition or providing the specific receipts of their costs. Satellite operators, on the other hand, had a choice of taking an accelerated relocation plan, which required them to submit a transition plan—which included the details of whether or not the earth stations they serve would take a lump sum payment—by Aug. 14. Initially, any changes to these plans could only be made with the approval of the FCC.

However, earth stations were not required to decide on whether or not they would accept a lump sum payment until a month after satellite operators’ transition plans were due. This made it so satellite operators could not be fully accurate with what the earth stations they serve would do.

“Therefore, now that incumbent earth station operators have made their lump-sum elections, we expect that eligible space station operators will need to modify their Transition Plans to remove the incumbent earth stations for which the space station operators are no longer responsible for transitioning as a result of the lump sum elections,” the FCC said in its public notice. The commission also said it will provide an updated list of incumbent earth stations that reflect corrections and other updates to the previous version.

As a result of these actions, the FCC is now allowing satellite operators to modify their Transition Plans from now until Oct. 28.

For more information, the full FCC Public Notice is available online. 

WASHINGTON—The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has tapped RSM US LLP, a global audit and consulting firm, to serve as the relocation coordinator for the C-band transition process.

The C-band transition will see incumbent earth station operators move from the lower portion of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band to the upper portion to make room for 5G development. The FCC is officially auctioning off 280 MHz for 5G, with a 20 MHz guardband also being established. The C-band auction is scheduled for Dec. 8.

The FCC tasked a search committee of eligible Fixed Satellite Service space station operators to select a relocation coordinator for the repack that would be responsible for managing the overall transition and coordinating relocation actions among eligible space stations operators, incumbent earth station operators and new 3.7 GHz Service flexible-use licensees. The stations opted for RSM, presenting their selection to the FCC in July.

RSM was reviewed against the FCC’s requirements for the relocation coordinator, which dictated that the relocation coordinator have the experience to: 1) coordinate the schedule for clearing the band; 2) performing engineering analysis, as necessary, to determine necessary station migration actions; 3) assigning obligations for earth station migrations and filtering; 4) coordinating with overlay licensees throughout the transition process; 5) assessing the completion of the transition in each PEA and determining overlay licensees’ ability to commence operations; and 6) mediating scheduling disputes.

The FCC found that RSM met these requirements, and therefore has officially selected RSM to serve as the relocation coordinator for the C-band transition process.

For more information on the C-band transition, visit TVT’s C-band hub page.