Europe's Eutelsat, SES set for $6 billion in U.S. spectrum-clearing payments

Eutelsat and SES stand to receive roughly $6.1 billion in combined payments for helping clear satellite spectrum for US wireless services, they said ‌on Monday.

Eutelsat ⁠expects $504 ⁠million in pre-tax payments, while SES expects about $5.6 billion, under a Federal Communications Commission plan to make part of the C-band spectrum available for mobile ⁠networks.

Eutelsat shares ‌were seen rising 8% in premarket trading.


The US ⁠Federal Communications Commission has approved a framework to move satellite services out of part of the C-band radio spectrum, allowing 160 megahertz of capacity to be used by telecoms ‌companies for next-generation wireless networks.

The payments depend on the companies moving ⁠satellite services from the spectrum by deadlines in 2030 and 2031, while keeping customer services running. Both companies will also be reimbursed for eligible transition costs.