SES Plans To Relocate AMC-2, Extend Its Licensed Life

SES Americom wants to relocate its AMC-2 satellite and extend its license term. In an FCC International Bureau filing Tuesday, SES said it sought authority to drift AMC-2 from its current 80.85 degrees west to 84.85 degrees west -- where it would supplement the Ku-band services being delivered by EchoStar's AMC-16 satellite at 85 degrees west -- and to extend its license to Dec. 31, 2017. AMC-2's current license expires May 31, and the satellite has enough fuel onboard for the proposed extension and for its subsequent deorbit, SES said, saying current AMC-2 customers will be transferred to other satellites before the relocation.