SES-11 Launch Gets FCC International Bureau Signoff

The FCC International Bureau signed off on SES' launch of its SES-11 satellite and subsequent operations in the Ku-band. In an approval Wednesday, the bureau said the company sought rule waivers for the satellite -- which will operate at 104.95 degrees west -- to operate in the Ka-band in 18.3-19.3 GHz and 19.7-20.2 GHz for downlinks and 28.35-29.1 GHz and 29.25-30 GHz for uplinks, but it would address those waivers in connection with any future request for operating authority in the Ka-band frequencies, which can be used for broadband. The bureau in a letter to U.K. telecom regulator Ofcom said the satellite is expected to launch this year.