C-Band Clearinghouse Reimbursement 'Onerous': SES, Intelsat

The C-band relocation payment clearinghouse creates "unnecessary and onerous barriers" to timely reimbursement of costs not contemplated in the FCC C-band order, SES and Intelsat representatives told Wireless Bureau and Office of General Counsel staff, per a docket 18-122 post Friday. They said the handbook released in April indicates the clearinghouse will make lowest cost the priority for purchase decisions for relocation. They said cost shouldn't carry special weight, and issues like timing and equipment availability also need to be taken into account. The companies said satellite operators being reimbursed only after proof of payment and equipment installation is "untenable" for fixed milestone payments for satellites, and the handbook's review process "is inefficient and burdensome."