Industry consolidation is opening up a multi-orbit strategy for satellite operators, while regulators continue to grapple with satellite-direct-to-device service as more companies are attracted to it. WRC-23 saw a split in the satellite industry between GEO and LEO operators over interference. Read more...

The merger between Eutelsat and OneWeb, completed at the end of September 2023, created a unique hybrid geostationary and low-earth orbit satellite operator. Read more...

Lynk progressed its satellite-direct-to-phone service in a year when larger rivals revealed rival offerings and the regulatory debate about re-using terrestrial spectrum remains unresolved. Read more...

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

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

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

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

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

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

While Samsung supports unlicensed lower 6 GHz spectrum, its focus is on the harmonisation and release of additional mid-band spectrum for 5G and ultimately 6G. In February 2023, Samsung announced its plans to move into the satellite connectivity space. In January 2024, South Korea’s MSIT awarded frequencies in the 4.7… Read more...