C-Band Order Meant 'Drastic Changes' to Satellite Replacement Plans, Intelsat Says
Intelsat officials met with FCC staff on its thought process in planning to seek reimbursement for the costs of replacing seven satellites necessary for its C-band clearing activities, said a docket 18-122 ex parte posting Monday. It said the commission…
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requested the details, and its previous satellite deployment plans went through "drastic changes" in response to the FCC's band-clearing plan and its accelerated deadlines. Intelsat said it also explained how the C-band order necessitated more replacement satellites than had been anticipated under the C-Band Alliance approach. And it said its estimated costs for satellite reimbursement are at the lower end of the cost catalog "and certainly lower" than comparable facilities, especially when replacing multi-band satellites. The meeting included Wireless Bureau Chief Don Stockdale. Intelsat estimated satellite replacement costs at $790 million (see 2006220006).