SES on course to complete C-band clearance as SES-18 enters service

Satellite operator SES’s new C-band satellite SES-18 satellite is now delivering services at 103° West, replacing SES-3’s C-band payload.

SES-18 is enabling SES to continue delivering C-band broadcast and radio services to US homes, as well as provide other network communications services.

SES-19, which was launched in tandem with SES-18, has meanwhile arrived at its orbital slot at 135° West, where it is co-located with SES-22.

The pair were launched on a SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in March.

SES said it had now completed the successful in-orbit deployment of five of the six new satellites as part of the FCC programme to clear a portion of C-band spectrum to enable wireless operators to deploy 5G services.

Satellite operators, including SES, have been tasked by the FCC to clear the lower 300MHz of C-band spectrum throughout the continental US by December. The remaining sixth satellite, SES-23, is on the ground as a spare to provide redundancy in case of need.

SES-18 will enable SES to transition existing services to the upper C-band frequencies. SES said that by providing contractual service protections to customers who receive video services in the US, the satellite will enable it to finish clearing C-band spectrum.

“We are excited to see our final two new C-band satellites in their orbital positions, and for SES-18 to provide continuity of service for our customers in the United States. Thanks to our partners who have been an integral part of our C-band transition program, we look forward to completing the programme ahead of the FCC’s accelerated relocation deadline,” said Steve Collar, CEO at SES.