FCC Clears Path for SES Rollout of 5G Services in US Markets

Satellite communications service provider SES has received the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s validation of its Phase II accelerated C-band clearing and relocation certification for U.S. 5G services. The Luxembourg-based company, which completed Phase I activities in 2021, met the FCC transition requirement ahead of its Dec. 5 deadline and gained eligibility to receive $2.99 billion in accelerated relocation payment.  

Phase II’s completion involved the launching of five new satellites for digital TV broadcast delivery to almost 120 million homes, as well as data services in the upper 200 megahertz of the C-band, SES said.

According to Ruy Pinto, SES CEO, Phase II’s early FCC certification demonstrates the caliber of the company’s team, its trusted partners and vendor networks.

Other activities during the phase included repacking all SES downlink services in the continental United States into the upper 200 MHz of the C-band and relocating all associated CONUS Earth stations into the same band range.

SES has also announced a partnership with Sao Paulo, Brazil-based Estudios Quanta for the interconnection of their content delivery networks for Latin American sports and events customers.