Intelsat today revealed it has selected Maxar Technologies and Northrop Grumman, US-based manufacturers, for supplying new satellites.
The selection of Maxar Technologies and Northrop Grumman is essential to clearing portions of the C-band spectrum for building 5G business.
Maxar Technologies will build and deliver four satellites. Northrop Grumman will build and deliver two satellites. Intelsat is currently in negotiations with manufacturers for a seventh satellite required to support its C-band transition.
Intelsat, which has filed for bankruptcy, plans to file its full C-band spectrum transition plan with the FCC in accordance with the FCC’s revised timeline. The plan will provide manufacturing and launch details for new satellites and outline the steps to reconfigure its terrestrial-based infrastructure and to ensure a transition.
“Clearing 300 megahertz of the U.S. C-band spectrum to make way for 5G wireless applications is a complex task, layered with a significant number of interdependent technical activities,” said Intelsat Chief Services Officer Mike DeMarco in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Over 100 million U.S. households rely on Intelsat for TV service. Intelsat is the largest provider of satellite communications services to the U.S. military.
Last month, Intelsat launched a new managed service for U.S. mobile operators that will help expand 4G and 5G broadband coverage to rural America.
Meanwhile, SES has selected two U.S. satellite manufacturers, Northrop Grumman and the Boeing Company, to deliver four new satellites as part of the company’s accelerated C-band clearing plan to meet the Federal Communications Commission’s objectives to roll-out 5G services.
