Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, has confirmed that it will receive nearly US$3.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 after completing its C-band frequency clearing obligations. The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC)’s ‘C-band Transition Order’ set a deadline to clear the spectrum by December 2025 but offered incentive payments to satellite operators if cleared before December 2023. With the validated certification now complete, Intelsat says it will receive accelerated relocation payments totalling USD3.67 billion.
Intelsat’s fellow satellite operators Telesat and SES have previously announced that they have concluded their own respective C-band clearing obligations.