Steve Mehs
03-10-03, 03:36 AM
PanAmSat continues to be lukewarm on Ka-Band and its future prospects, canceling construction of a Ka-Band satellite and sending signals that it may halt the building of another spacecraft.
In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing released late last week, PanAmSat said that in December it terminated a non-contingent agreement with Orbital Sciences for construction of a Ka-Band satellite. The company said the termination is part of its Ka-Band strategy, which included relinquishing all but one of its U.S. Ka-Band licenses.
PanAmSat also said it's exploring the business case for a remaining Ka-Band satellite under construction by Orbital, "and may conclude that we will not pursue the construction of this satellite to completion," the company said in the filing.
The commercial satellite operator controlled by Hughes Electronics relinquished all but one of its U.S. Ka-Band licenses in January. PanAmSat has filed for nine Ka-Band orbital slots through the Australian Communications Authority (ACA), the country's telecommunications commission, and the application has been forwarded to the International Telecommunications Union for approval.
PanAmSat said the return of its U.S. Ka-Band spectrum, which would've required the launch of service by 2005, will give the company more time to place Ka-Band satellites in service. Ka-Band, which is being pursued by companies like EchoStar and WildBlue Communications, promises to deliver next-generation satellite services, including broadband.
From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com/skyreport/mar2003/031003.shtm#two) (Used with Permission)
In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing released late last week, PanAmSat said that in December it terminated a non-contingent agreement with Orbital Sciences for construction of a Ka-Band satellite. The company said the termination is part of its Ka-Band strategy, which included relinquishing all but one of its U.S. Ka-Band licenses.
PanAmSat also said it's exploring the business case for a remaining Ka-Band satellite under construction by Orbital, "and may conclude that we will not pursue the construction of this satellite to completion," the company said in the filing.
The commercial satellite operator controlled by Hughes Electronics relinquished all but one of its U.S. Ka-Band licenses in January. PanAmSat has filed for nine Ka-Band orbital slots through the Australian Communications Authority (ACA), the country's telecommunications commission, and the application has been forwarded to the International Telecommunications Union for approval.
PanAmSat said the return of its U.S. Ka-Band spectrum, which would've required the launch of service by 2005, will give the company more time to place Ka-Band satellites in service. Ka-Band, which is being pursued by companies like EchoStar and WildBlue Communications, promises to deliver next-generation satellite services, including broadband.
From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com/skyreport/mar2003/031003.shtm#two) (Used with Permission)