Page 44 - SAMENA Trends - September 2019

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Eutelsat Reveals ELO Constellation for the IoT Market

Eutelsat Communications revealed its ELO constellation investment at Group level, which is fully scalable, enables Eutelsat
project, targeting the Internet of Things (IoT) market. The ELO to access an additional potential growth lever in the context of its
constellation aims offer global IoT coverage enabling objects Connectivity strategy.”
to transmit data, regardless of their location. The constellation
should contain 25 nanosatellites in the next three years, with a
demo satellite being launched early next year. The construction of
this nanosatellite constellation will begin with a first series of four
satellites from Loft Orbital (ELO 1 and 2) and Clyde Space (ELO 3
and 4). With expected launch dates between 2020 and 2021, these
four satellites will enter commercial service as soon as they are
delivered into orbit. If this new initiative proves successful, other
satellites will be added to the constellation, to reach a total of 25
satellites operational by 2022. The investment required for the
constellation is included in Eutelsat’s existing Capex outlook. The
cost associated with each satellite will not exceed 1 million euros.
Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of Eutelsat commented: “We are delighted
to be completing the first steps of our ELO constellation project,
aimed at positioning Eutelsat in the nascent IoT segment. Our
partnership with Sigfox enables worldwide coverage through the
combination of satellite and terrestrial IoT. This relatively modest

Eutelsat CBA Exit won’t Impact C-Band Proposal, remaining Members Say

Eutelstat told the FCC that while it ability to do so.” The group noted its avoiding interference. Still, there were hints
continues to support CBA’s proposal for remaining members represent about 95% of fracture within CBA when Eutelsat’s
a market-driven approach, the company of the revenues for the U.S. C-band market CEO Rodolphe Belmer spoke on a July 31
did not align with some of its fellow and that they “are aligned and committed earnings call, as noted by SpaceNews,
European satellite operators on certain to the process of engaging with the FCC in regards to a voluntary contribution to
issues. Satellite operator Eutelsat’s formal on the proposal of rapidly clearing C-band the U.S. Treasury from a spectrum sale,
withdrawal from the C-Band Alliance spectrum to support the deployment of as well as calculating proceeds for CBA
(CBA) yesterday won’t impact the group’s 5G services in the U.S.” The lack of open members. “There is no real agreement
ability to deliver on its proposal for selling mid-band spectrum for 5G in the U.S. and alignment on that question within
C-band spectrum for 5G in the U.S., CBA’s has raised concerns among government the CBA, contrary to what has been
remaining three members said. Eutelsat officials and operators alike, with a variety said,” Belmer said. A coalition made up
notified CBA’s other members Intelsat, SES of players vying for desirable C-band of the Competitive Carriers Association
and Telsat, of its exit from the group, saying spectrum in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band. The (CCA), Charter Communications, and ACA
the company wanted to “take a direct active FCC has accepted comment on opening Connects, which presented their own plan
part” in discussions about clearing and up and repurposing the C-band, but the to reallocate at least 370 megahertz of
repurposing spectrum. Eutelsat told the process has been complicated. The four C-band spectrum, previously said CBA
FCC that while it continues to support CBA’s satellite operators using the entire 500 claims obscure the “tremendous private
proposal for a market-driven approach, megahertz band previously proposed windfall” for the satellite companies and
the company did not align with some of freeing about 200 megahertz of spectrum, public costs linked to CBA’s proposal.
its fellow European satellite operators but faced opposition, with multiple parties T-Mobile, which made its own suggestion
on certain issues. “Eutelsat therefore suggesting alternate proposals. The CBA for selling the spectrum, had argued the
concluded that its disassociation from the has maintained that its proposal, which satellite operators shouldn’t even be selling
CBA would best serve the interests of its promotes secondary market-based the spectrum because they don’t own it.
C-band satellite customers in the United transactions, remains the best option It is unclear when the C-band will appear
States and its shareholders,” Eutelsat said presented to the FCC. The alliance made on the full commission’s agenda, but FCC
the Tuesday filing. In response CBA put some changes to its plan, including those Chairman Ajit Pai previously indicated that
out a statement saying, “The CBA remains following analyses by AT&T, that the group the agency expects to take action on the
committed to delivering its expeditious, said would provide additional flexibility C-band front this fall – a timeframe that is
market-based proposal and the departure to mobile operators while still protecting quickly approaching.
of Eutelsat does not impact the CBA’s fixed satellite service operations and

44 SEPTEMBER 2019