Eutelsat and SES set to receive $6.1 billion in US spectrum payments from the FCC

The FCC is about to write some very large checks. Eutelsat and SES disclosed on July 27 that they expect to collectively receive around $6.1 billion in incentive payments from the US Federal Communications Commission for clearing portions of the C-band satellite spectrum. SES is set to pocket roughly $5.6 billion of that total, while Eutelsat expects approximately $504 million. The C-band playbook, round two This isn’t the first time satellite operators have been handsomely compensated for vacating spectrum. The 2020 C-band auction generated $9.7 billion in accelerated payments to satellite operators, primarily benefiting SES and Intelsat (which SES has since absorbed). The FCC approved a new auction framework for 160 MHz of upper C-band spectrum around July 22, just days before the payment disclosure. That framework likely serves as the trigger mechanism for this latest round of incentive payments, creating a structured timeline for satellite operators to move their operations while keeping existing services running. The payments come with strings attached, naturally. Both companies must meet specific relocation deadlines set for 2030 and 2031. They’re also required to maintain se...