Intelsat, SES, Eutelsat and Telesat have formed the C-band Alliance to figure out how they can clear some of their satellite spectrum for resale to wireless carriers without disrupting service to current users, which include TV networks. Bill Tolpegin and Preston Padden, speculators in the FCC's incentive auction, are heading the alliance.
Group Formed To Facilitate C-Band Sharing
Responding to an invitation from the FCC, four leading communications satellite operators have formed a consortium to clear a portion of the C-band satellite frequencies so that they can sell it to wireless carriers for use in their next-generation 5G networks.
The C-Band Alliance comprises Intelsat, SES, Eutelsat and Telesat.
The CBA is headed by Bill Tolpegin, CEO of OTA Broadcasting, a successful speculator in the FCC incentive auction of broadcast spectrum. Former Disney lobbyist Preston Padden, who represented OTA and other speculators in the incentive auction, has signed on as CBA’s head of advocacy and government.
In proposing shared use of the 500 MHz band (3,700 MHz-4,200 MHz) last summer, the FCC took a marketplace approach, inviting the industry to figure out on its on how to clear spectrum for resale.
The challenge for the CBA is to do that without disrupting service of current users of the band, which include many broadcast and cable networks.
Padden said that the CBA is committed to preserving service to current users. “Nobody has anything to worry about. We are meeting with all of them and giving assurances that everything is going to be fine.”
BRAND CONNECTIONS
He said that he has already met with representatives of the NAB and NCTA – the Internet and Television Association.
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