Non-geostationary orbit satellite operations in worst-case rain conditions in the 37.5-40 GHz band have negligible impact on upper microwave flexible use service (UMFUS) operations, said a Boeing technical analysis given to the FCC International Bureau Satellite Division. An ex parte filing Wednesday in docket 14-177 recapped a call with division personnel about the analysis, which said modeling shows the effect on UMFUS is less than 0.65 dB. The call included division Chief Jose Albuquerque and Boeing engineers. The firm is seeking FCC approval for a V-band mega-constellation (see 1606230050).

ViaSat staffers met with FCC officials on the recent Connect America Fund Phase II order setting some details for a reverse auction of subsidy support for fixed broadband services (see 1702230019). "The discussion focused on the potential impact on satellite broadband bidders of the adopted reverse-auction bid weighting mechanism, and was based on the analytical framework described in Exhibit A of the ViaSat ex parte submission of February 21, 2017 (as adjusted for adopted bid weighting)," said a company filing posted Wednesday in docket 10-90 on the meeting with International Bureau officials. ViaSat had urged the FCC to encourage broadband deployment in a "baseline" 25/3 Mbps tier (see 1702170048). But Commissioner Mike O'Rielly suggested Feb. 23 the FCC bid weights favor "above baseline" (100/20 Mbps) "gigabit" (1 Gbps/500 Mbps) tiers.

A biennial review of telecom rules could be used to streamline FCC Part 25 licensing rules for satellites, EchoStar lawyers told International Bureau officials. An applicant should have the option to get umbrella authority to operate its network of satellites, gateway earth stations and user terminals, EchoStar told acting IB Chief Tom Sullivan, Deputy Chief Troy Tanner, Chief Engineer Robert Nelson, Satellite Division Chief Jose Albuquerque and others (their job positions according to the IB), it recounted in a filing Tuesday in docket 16-131. "The FCC should enable satellite operators to relocate U.S.-licensed satellites, subject to certain conditions, on a pro forma basis." With IoT, 5G, machine to machine and other services, operators need FCC "regulatory certainty and flexibility comparable to that afforded by other administrations," said the company.

SSL and DigitalGlobe are asking for FCC International Bureau approval for an SSL takeover of the remote sensing satellite operator. A transfer of control application submitted Monday said the combination would let them offer "end-to-end space systems, Earth imagery and geospatial solutions." They said DigitalGlobe employs three non-geostationary orbit satellites, WorldView-1, -2 and -3, and has four fixed earth station licenses. They said DigitalGlobe will operate as a stand-alone division under SSL, and keep the DigitalGlobe name, brand and Colorado headquarters, and that SSL parent MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates will apply to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange in addition to the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Intelsat extended media services contracts with Sentech and Orion Express, the company said in news releases (here and here). It said its new Sentech deal will bolster delivery of direct-to-home and digital terrestrial TV services in sub-Saharan Africa via Intelsat 20, and Orion Express signed a multiyear extension for direct-to-home and media distribution services in Russia via Intelsat 15. Intelsat said its Orion Express deal lasts into the 2020s and sees Intelsat performing some services that had been done by another satellite operator.

The potential Intelsat/OneWeb deal isn't just a satellite transaction but "a single piece in a puzzle" being assembled by Masayoshi "Masa" Son, CEO of SoftBank, a major backer of OneWeb that's also putting $1.7 billion into the deal, Northern Sky Research analyst Blaine Curcio said in a NSR blog post Sunday. SoftBank and Son seem to be driving toward a future of 5G, autonomous vehicles and machine-to-machine IoT through investments into such areas as semiconductors and robotics and partnerships with automakers, NSR said. A key step in an IoT connected world model would be cheap, ubiquitous coverage, such as what could be provided through Intelsat, NSR said. It said a variety of satellite challenges include OneWeb securing landing rights internationally; development of cheap, portable terminals; tackling interference issues; and Intelsat's finances. The firm said the deal "appears to put Intelsat/OneWeb at a massive head start" for creating such an integrated system.

Terra Bella Technologies wants to add six satellites to its remote sensing constellation. In an FCC International Bureau application Friday, the Google subsidiary said it expects to start launching the low earth orbit satellites, SkySat-16 through SkySat-21, as early as September 2018. It said it has seven satellites in operation, with SkySat-8 through SkySat-15 expected to launch this year. The license application comes as Planet Labs is seeking regulatory approval to buy Terra Bella. The FTC signed off on the deal, said an early termination notice Friday. The two announced the deal in February. The transfer of control also is awaiting International Bureau OK (see 1702160010). Terra Bella said it sought IB approval of the additional satellites independent of the license transfer proceeding.

SES wants to relocate AMC-6 to 85 degrees west, where it will supplement the Ku-band service provided by AMC-2 and AMC-16 satellites. In a pair of FCC International Bureau filings Thursday (see here and here), SES asked for modification of its AMC-6 license to allow relocation from 67 degrees west, and for a 60-day special temporary authority starting May 14 to let the company do that relocation while its license modification is pending. The company said it plans to launch its SES-10 to 67 degrees west at the end of March, with it being fully operational by early May, making AMC-6 available for relocation.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was unanimous that Dish Network's subscription agreement clearly makes it not liable for any interruption in service, so a motion by a group of subscribers seeking permission to file a second amended class-action complaint must be denied. That was the argument Dish made in suggestions in opposition (in Pacer) filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Missouri. It said claims about lack of credit provided for a late 2014/early 2015 blackout of Turner and Fox channels during stalled carriage negotiations aren't valid causes of action since charges of bad faith, breach of contract and willful and wanton conduct legally are circumstances that aren't present here. The company said plaintiffs' proposed new allegations of unconscionability and unjust enrichment also aren't legally applicable. In last month's petition (in Pacer) to file the amended complaint, plaintiffs said the 8th Circuit's October interlocutory appeal decision said Dish's not providing a credit isn't a breach of good faith and the plaintiffs didn't allege Dish eliminated the programming in bad faith. They wanted to amend their complaint to include allegations the satellite-TV provider interrupted the Turner and Fox channel access in bad faith and/or wantonly breached its form agreement. Counsel for plaintiffs didn't comment Friday.

The FCC International Bureau is moving the deadline for reply comments in the rulemaking on proposed Part 2 and Part 25 rules changes. In a public notice posted Friday in docket 16-408, the bureau said it agreed with a petition by various satellite companies seeking additional time (see 1703130051) that 14 more days would help ensure sufficient time for interested parties to analyze the complex technical issues addressed in the initial comments. The reply comment deadline is now April 10, said the bureau.