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Still on Phase II Track

Intelsat, SES Have C-Band Satellite Delays From Pandemic

Both Inteslat and SES are facing satellite-related delays in their C-band accelerated relocation transitions, though both maintain they remain on track to meet the Dec. 5, 2023, transition deadline.

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Each launch of the seven satellites Intelsat is putting up as part of the C-band transition was delayed about two months due to COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues, per a quarterly status report Friday in docket 18-122. Those launch delays shouldn't affect its overall C-band clearing schedule, it said, adding it expects four of the seven to be in service by Q4, two more in Q1 2023 and the seventh in Q3 2023.

Manufacturing delays at Northrop Grumman on the SES-18 and SES-19 satellites "create a significant risk" that they won't be in commercial operation by end of 2022, as planned, SES said. Northrop Grumman didn't comment. SES said its SES-22 satellite, meanwhile, should be ready for launch by early July. It said it plans to go through with that launch and have SES-22 brought into service in August, with the company then starting the transition of services to it. The launch of SES-20, a spare satellite, and of SES-21, should be in August, it said.

All satellite manufacturers have heard from subcontractors that COVID-19 has affected production capabilities, delaying delivery dates for components, SES said. It said pandemic restrictions or illnesses prevented access in some cases to incumbent earth station sites, though those aren't affecting its overall transition timeline. It said with the COVID situation improving, it remains to be seen if the delays continue.

Launch company Thales had relied on a Ukrainian Antonov AN-124 aircraft to move geostationary satellites like the SES-22 to launch sites, SES said. The Russian war in Ukraine means no Antonov aircraft is available to take SES-22 to the Cape Canaveral launch site, it said. SES said it's working with Thales to move SES-22 by sea for the July launch.

Beyond satellite issues, Intelsat and SES said they're on or ahead of schedule in their transitions. Intelsat said it has delivered all needed encoding upgrades at programmer sites. It said integrated receivers and decoders needed for Phase II have been ordered and equipment shipments are going as planned.

SES said it wrapped up about 34% of the Phase II satellite transitions and installations of blue bandpass filters are done at about 42% of its incumbent earth station locations. It said it has installed about 20% of the antennas associated with Phase II.

All of Eutelsat's C-band service migration above 4.0 GHz is complete and outreach to all earth station operators is done, meaning its Phase II transition is wrapped up, the satellite operator told the FCC. It repeated its urging that the agency to provide the form for making a Phase II accelerated relocation certification (see 2202230041). Eutelsat's transition doesn't require any satellite launches.