DOCSLIB.ORG

Inmarsat Istheleadingprovider Ofglobal, Mobilesatellite Communicationssolutions

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Inmarsat Istheleadingprovider Ofglobal, Mobilesatellite Communicationssolutions B A I N N M N A U R A S L A R U T E P P O L C R T A N I D L A C C O U N D T S 2 0 1 6 I N M G O M E N T U M INMARSAT ISTHE LEADING PROVIDER OF GLOBAL, MOBILESATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS. Our communications services are utilised by governments, commercial enterprises, particularly in the Maritime and Aviation industries, and humanitarian organisations across theworld. Inmarsat’swholly-owned and operated satellite constellations deliver unparalleled reliability to support mission-critical communications, ensure safety on land, at sea and in the air, drive innovation and bring new economic and social benefits to even the most isolated communities. STRATEGIC REPORT GOVERNANCE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 56 Corporate governance introduction 104 Financialstatements index OVERVIEW 58 Board of Directors 105 Independent Auditor’s report 01 Investor proposition 61 Report of the Directors 112 Consolidated income statement 01 Financial highlights 65 Corporate governance report 113 Consolidated statement of 01 Business highlights 78 Relationswith shareholders comprehensive income 02 Group at a glance 79 Directors’ Remuneration Report 114 Consolidated balance sheet 04 Chairman’s statement 103 Directors’ responsibility statement 115 Consolidated statement of changes in equity 116 Consolidated cashflow statement STRATEGY 117 Notes to the consolidated 06 Chief Executive’s strategic review financial statements 12 Our key performance indicators 159 Company financial statements 14 Our markets 161 Notes to the Company financial statements 18 Our strategy 162 Glossary 20 Our business model 164 Additional information 22 Resources and relationships Business reviews 28 Maritime 32 Enterprise 36 Aviation 40 Government 44 Central services 46 Chief Financial Officer’s review 50 Risk management STRATEGIC REPORT – GOVERNANCE– FINANCIALSTATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT ANDACCOUNTS 2016– INMARSAT PLC – 01 INVESTOR PROPOSITION UNIQUELY PLACEDTO Inmarsat, with a 37-year track record in providing Looking ahead, Global Xpress (‘GX’), our CONTINUE PROVIDING connectivity to customers on the move, is uniquely broadband network in Ka-band, supported by our placed to remain at the forefront of a rapidly I-5 satellites, and our EuropeanAviation Network, UNRIVALLED MOBILE evolving global communications environment based on a combination of satellite and air-to- CONNECTIVITY ONA inthe comingyears. ground technology, specifically designed for in-flight connectivity (‘IFC’) in aviation, willformthe GLOBAL BASIS Supported by a range of satellite systems, fully foundationfor ourfuture growth by delivering optimised ground infrastructure networks and higher bandwidth, better service levels and faster market-leading distribution partnerships, we data rates for our customers. provide our customerswith global coverage to any device. Consequently, we aimto further improve our market opportunities in our core markets, Our resilient L-band networks, based on our I-3 and particularly in Maritime and Government, whilst I-4 satellite constellations, will continue to support maximising the potential opportunities in new the evolving mobile communications requirements market segments, particularly in IFC inAviation. in our key customer segments. By maximising the growth opportunities ahead of us, and supported by our strong core business, wewill continue to delivervalue to shareholders in the future. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS REVENUE $m 1,285.9 1,274.1 1,329.0 2014 2015 2016 EBITDA $m Revenue and EBITDA growth Global Xpress gaining market 701.0 726.0 794.8 driven by strong performances traction, generating $78.5m in Government and Aviation of revenue in 2016 2014 2015 2016 CASH CAPEX $m 405.7 493.6 412.9 Further foundations laid Tenure of the Group’s debt to maximise the opportunity profile further lengthened in in-flight connectivity 2014 2015 2016 Link to CFO Review Link to CEO’s Strategic Review See page 46 See page 6 02 – INMARSAT PLC – ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016 GROUP AT A GLANCE BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR FUTURE GROWTH MARITIME ENTERPRISE Inmarsat offers the most dependable and versatile communications From oil and gas rigs in harsh ocean environments to utility companies solutions to the maritime industry, with secure, globally available services protecting their distribution networks, and from journalists broadcasting and products, which are helping to drive an evolution in vessel performance, live from trouble spots to humanitarian agencies coordinating relief efforts safety management and crew welfare. From the largest commercial fleets in disaster zones, Inmarsat delivers instant, powerful communications across to coastal vessels, our services are based on our long track record and, every environment and on every continent. Over the longer term, our services consequently, a unique understanding of the challenges of living and will extend and develop to support new and emerging applications and service working in a maritime environment. solutions in the digital economy. Revenue 48% of Group EBITDA 50% of Group Revenue 12% of Group EBITDA 12% of Group $575.3m $454.8m $144.6m $105.9m Maritime business review Enterprise business review See page 28 See page 32 AVIATION GOVERNMENT Inmarsat is fuelling a new era of innovation for commercial airlines and Inmarsat remains a key partner to a number of governments around the business jet operators in the areas of passenger connectivity and cockpit world. In nations like the US, we aim to augment a government’s existing safety. The combination of our globally available SwiftBroadband, Classic communications networks and ensure that, wherever they need to be, our Aero and GX for Aviation services, in addition to our European Aviation secure, reliable and powerful mobile satellite networks are readily available. Network (‘EAN’), currently in development, will ensure, in the future, Through our mission-critical voice, video and data communications solutions, we remain well positioned to maximise the potentially significant we support governments in maintaining their security, in ensuring public safety, opportunity of in-flight passenger connectivity. and in delivering a range of remote health, education and other crucial services in regions where high-quality terrestrial networks are not available. Revenue 12% of Group EBITDA 11% of Group Revenue 28% of Group EBITDA 27% of Group $142.6m $97.4m $330.5m $244.0m Aviation business review Government business review See page 36 See page 40 Group excludes Central Services and Ligado Networks. The Group recognised $119.4m of revenue from Ligado Networks in the year ended 31 December 2016. STRATEGIC REPORT – GOVERNANCE– FINANCIALSTATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT ANDACCOUNTS 2016– INMARSAT PLC – 03 BUILDING MOMENTUM Yet, as the promise of high-speed broadband has become a reality, we have continued to focus and invest in ourfuture L-band franchise; a spectrum that 2016was a crucialyearfor Inmarsat; one inwhich each of our businesses holds strong promise in the rapidly expandingworld of IoT and M2M. launched their market-specific Global Xpress services to the eager anticipation of our partners and end-user communities. Testament to this is the design of the Inmarsat-6constellation, ourfirst dual payload, covering both L-band and Ka-band spectrum.This underlines our By the close of theyear, the impact of Global Xpresswas clear to see long-term commitment to developing a new generation of advanced L-band inthe sectorswe serve -on land, at sea and inthe air. serviceswhile the Ka-band co-payload adds depthto the capacity of the Thousands of vessels, hundreds of aircraft and a broad spectrum of existing Global Xpress constellation. government users had committed to the Global Xpress revolution; true 2016saw strong progress made in the development of Inmarsat’s European recognition of the game-changing impact that reliable, global, mobile, Aviation Network, a hybrid high-capacity S-band satellite and LTE-based high-speed connectivity will have onthe reach, operational efficiency ground network across Europe, which is set to be the most advanced, and capabilities of their individual sectors. dedicated aviation passenger connectivity service intheworld. 2016was truly ayear of building momentumfor ourfuture. L-band Ka-band Inmarsat-5 Inmarsat-4 L and Ka-band L-band Inmarsat-6 S-band Inmarsat-3 EAN 04 – INMARSAT PLC – ANNUAL REPORT ANDACCOUNTS 2016 CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT MAINTAINING CONFIDENCE INTHE FUTURE HIGHLIGHTS > Dividend increases for 11th consecutiveyear > New Board members contributingwell > Our thanks to two long-serving Board members as they retire > Our strategy is evolving to being a digital services enabler > Safety services on the sea and in the air remain part of our core purpose Andrew Sukawaty Governance Chairman See page 56 2016 OVERVIEW to invest in enhanced and new services to ensure “WEAREWELL that seafarers and aircraft, flying over oceans As Ilook backat our performance in2016,we have and remote areas globally, have the benefit POSITIONEDTO GROW seenfurther progress in many areas of our business of the latest technologies to keepthem safe. aswe put in placethe building blocks neededto Every day we also connect millions of people PROFITABLY INTHE support ourgrowthambitions.At thesametime around theworld on land, at sea, and increasingly, we have experienced a morevolatileshare price, inthe air. Our current investments in satellite YEARS AHEAD.” primarily driven by a derating of thesatellitesector and infrastructure platformswill enable us to duringthe course of theyear.We remaincommitted
Load more

Recommended publications
  • DOD Concerns About the FCC-Approved Ligado Network
    INSIGHTi DOD Concerns About the FCC-Approved Ligado Network Updated October 8, 2020 On April 20, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously approved an application by Ligado Networks LLC (Ligado) to “deploy a low-power [9.8 decibel watts (dBW)] terrestrial nationwide network in the 1526-1536 MHz, 1627.5-1637.5 MHz, and 1646.5-1656.5 MHz bands [of the electromagnetic spectrum] that will primarily support Internet of Things (IoT) services.” These frequency bands are traditionally used for satellite operations. The Department of Defense (DOD) opposed this decision—along with the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Interior, Department of Justice, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and others. That opposition related to concerns that Ligado’s proposed network could interfere with signals from satellites to Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Congress may consider federal agency concerns, including DOD concerns related to mission-critical systems and the FCC’s response, as it conducts oversight of the FCC’s ruling. Congress may also consider broader issues related to fifth generation (5G) mobile technologies, such as the allocation of spectrum among competing users and the impact of spectrum decisions on national security. DOD Concerns and Related Studies on GPS Interference In both its formal response to the FCC’s ruling and its May 6, 2020, testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), DOD cited two primary studies that shaped its belief that the Ligado network “would cause unacceptable operational impacts and adversely affect the military potential of GPS”: a 2018 DOT study and a 2016 classified study conducted by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Advanced Info Services (AIS), 155 Advanced Wireless Research Initiative (AWRI), 35 Africa, 161-162 AIR 6468, 23 Alaskan Telco GC
    Index Advanced Info Services (AIS), 155 Belgium Competition Authority Advanced Wireless Research Initiative (BCA), 73 (AWRI), 35 Bharti Airtel, 144, 162 Africa, 161–162 Bite,´ 88 AIR 6468, 23 Bouygues, 79 Alaskan telco GCI, 134 Brazil, 125 Altice USA, 132 Broadband Radio Services (BRS), America´ Movil,´ 125, 129 137–138 Android, 184 BT Plus, 105 Antel, 139 BT/EE, 185 Apple, 186–190 Bulgaria, 74 Asia Pacific Telecom (APT), 154 Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), 6, C-band, 26 25–26 Cableco/MVNO CJ Hello, 153 AT&T, 129, 131 Canada, 125–127 Auction Carrier aggregation (CA), 5, 22 coverage obligation, 10 CAT Telecom, 155 plans, 137–139 Cellular IoT (CIoT), 31 reserve prices, 9 Centimetre wave (cmWave), 34–35 Auction methods, 8–9 Centuria, 88 combinatorial clock, 8 Ceragon Networks, 93 simultaneous multi-round Channel Islands Competition and ascending, 8 Regulatory Authorities Augmented reality, 195 (CICRA), 83, 88 Australia, 139–140 Chief Technology Officer (CTO), 185 Austria, 71–73 Chile, 127–128 Autonomous transport, 195 Chile, private networks, 127–128 Average revenue per user (ARPU), China, 141–142 165–166, 197 China Broadcasting Network (CBN), Axtel, 129 141 China Mobile, 141 Backhaul, 24–25 China Telecom, 141 Bahrain, 156 China Unicom, 39, 141–142 Batelco, 156 Chipsets, 186–190 Beamforming, 24, 29 Chunghwa Telecom, 154 Beauty contest, 8 Citizens Broadband Radio Service Belgacom, 73 (CBRS), 130–131 Belgium, 73–74 CK Hutchison, 145 210 Index Cloud computing, 24 Eir Group, 85 Co-operative MIMO. See Coordinated Electromagnetic fields (EMFs), 38–39
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Annual Report
    2020 ANNUAL REPORT INTER-AMERICAN TELECOMMUNICATION COMMISSION (CITEL) CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 3 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 6 2. ORIGIN AND STRUCTURE OF CITEL ....................................................................................... 6 2.1 OBJECTIVES AND FUNCTIONS OF CITEL (ARTICLE 3 OF THE CITEL STATUTE) ..................... 6 2.2 MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS ............................................................................................... 7 2.3 STRUCTURE OF CITEL ......................................................................................................... 8 3. ACTIVITIES OF CITEL ................................................................................................................. 9 3.1 PERMANENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF CITEL (COM/CITEL) ......................................... 9 3.2 PERMANENT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE I: TELECOMMUNICATIONS/ICTS (PCC.I) .......... 11 3.3 PERMANENT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE II: RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS (PCC.II) .............. 14 4. ACTIVITIES OF THE SECRETARIAT ....................................................................................... 15 4.1 2030 ICT ALLIANCE FOR THE AMERICAS ............................................................................ 15 4.2 RURAL WOMEN’S ALLIANCE: EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN THROUGH ICT ..........
    [Show full text]
  • Multi-Organization Ex Parte Submission to FCC on Use Of
    1800 M S TREET, NW S UITE 800N W ASHINGTON, DC 20036 T EL 202.783.4141 F AX 202.783.5851 WWW. WBKLAW. COM P ATRICK R. H ALLEY 202.383.3356 PHALLEY@ WBKLAW. COM September 27, 2018 BY EFILE Marlene H. Dortch Secretary Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street S.W., Room TW-A325 Washington, DC 20554 Re: Ligado Network Subsidiary LLC, Amendment to License Modification Applications, IBFS File Nos. SAT-AMD-20180531-00045, SAT-AMD- 20180531-00044, SES-AMD-20180531-00856; SES-MOD-20151231- 00981, SAT-MOD-20151231-00090, and SAT-MOD-20151231-00091; IB Docket Nos. 12-340, 11-109 Dear Ms. Dortch: Pursuant to Section 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules,1 this letter provides notice that on September 25 and September 26, 2018, a coalition of organizations representing entities that provide and rely upon critical GPS, satellite communications (“SATCOM”) services, and essential weather and other environmental data (the “Coalition”), met with Umair Javed, legal advisor to Commissioner Rosenworcel and Erin McGrath, legal advisor to Commissioner O’Rielly, to discuss the continued concerns with Ligado’s request to operate a terrestrial mobile broadband service in the L-Band satellite spectrum neighborhood. In addition to the undersigned, the list of individuals present in each meeting is attached. During the meeting, the Coalition reiterated each of the multiple interference concerns raised in a letter sent to Chairman Pai from 27 organizations on July 18, 2018.2 The Coalition stated that numerous organizations, and the many entities they represent, continue to have serious unresolved concerns over harmful interference from Ligado’s proposed terrestrial operations.
    [Show full text]
  • September 28, 2020 VIA ECFS Marlene H. Dortch Secretary Federal Communications Commission 445 12Th Street, SW Washington, DC 2
    September 28, 2020 VIA ECFS Marlene H. Dortch Secretary Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 Re: Written Ex Parte Presentation: IB Docket Nos. 11-109 and 12-340 Dear Ms. Dortch: Former NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin continues to claim that the Federal Communications Commission’s (“Commission”) approval of the proposal by Ligado Networks LLC (“Ligado”) to repurpose satellite spectrum in the L-Band for high-power terrestrial use should be upheld because it will help advance American leadership in Fifth Generation (“5G”) technologies.1/ The extremely tenuous linkage between the changes in spectrum use authorized in the Ligado Order and the compelling need to advance 5G in this country has been the subject of extensive discussion in the Petitions for Reconsideration and ex parte presentations in this proceeding.2/ As the GPS Innovation Alliance (“GPSIA”) explains in further detail below, Mr. Goldin’s broad and unsupported assertions add little to the record. The availability of Ligado’s spectrum for terrestrial use will not contribute to the advancement of 5G but will instead undermine U.S. Global Positioning System (“GPS”) receivers and devices that are foundational to wireless technology in general, including 5G. 1/ See Letter from the Hon. Daniel S. Goldin, NASA Administrator (1992-2001), to Chairman Pai, FCC, IB Docket Nos. 11-109 and 12-340 (filed Sept. 8, 2020) (“Goldin Letter”); LightSquared Technical Working Group Report, et al., Order and Authorization, 35 FCC Rcd 3772 (2020) (“Ligado Order”). 2/ See, e.g., Petition for Reconsideration of Air Line Pilots Association, International, IB Docket Nos.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
    Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Promoting the Deployment of 5G ) GN Docket No. 21-63 Open Radio Access Networks ) ) ) COMMENTS OF THE OPEN RAN POLICY COALITION Diane Rinaldo Executive Director OPEN RAN POLICY COALITION P.O. Box 63344 Farragut Post Office 1800 M Street NW FRNT 1 Washington, DC 20033 (202) 747-4041 April 28, 2020 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4 I. THE COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS ECOSYTEM IS RAPIDLY DEVELOPING AND DEPLOYING OPEN RAN. ........................................................................................... 5 II. OPEN RAN WILL PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST BENEFITS. ............ 18 A. Open RAN Will Drive Increased Competition, Innovation and Network Vendor Diversity. ......................................................................................................................... 19 B. Open RAN Provides Technological Improvements that Benefit Network Management and Innovation. ................................................................................................................ 21 C. Open RAN Has the Potential to Make Services and Products More Affordable, Including Those in Rural and Low-Income Communities. ............................................. 23 D. As a Complement to Parallel Advances in 5G and Network Management, Open and Interoperable RAN Will Enhance Network Security. ....................................................
    [Show full text]
  • FCC-20-48A1.Pdf
    Federal Communications Commission FCC 20-48 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) LightSquared Technical Working Group Report ) IB Docket No. 11-109 ) LightSquared License Modification Application, ) IB Docket No. 12-340 IBFS Files Nos. SAT-MOD-20120928-00160, - ) 00161, SES-MOD-20121001-00872 ) ) New LightSquared License Modification ) IB Docket No. 11-109; IB Docket No. 12-340 Applications IBFS File Nos. SES-MOD-20151231- ) 00981, SAT-MOD-20151231-00090, and SAT- ) MOD-20151231-00091 ) ) Ligado Amendment to License Modification ) IB Docket No. 11-109 Applications IBFS File Nos. SES-MOD-20151231- ) 00981, SAT-MOD-20151231-00090, and SAT- ) MOD-20151231-00091 ) ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION Adopted: April 19, 2020 Released: April 22, 2020 By the Commission: Commissioner Carr issuing a statement; Commissioners Rosenworcel and Starks Concurring and issuing a Joint Statement. TABLE OF CONTENTS Heading Paragraph # I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 1 II. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................... 3 A. Ligado’s MSS and MSS ATC Authorizations ................................................................................. 4 B. Ligado’s 2015 License Modification Applications and the Agreements with GPS Device Manufacturers .................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Start-Up Space Update on Investment in Commercial Space Ventures
    Start-Up Space Update on Investment in Commercial Space Ventures 2019 Contents Executive Summary . i Introduction . 1 Purpose and Background . 1 Methodology . 1 Overview of Start-Up Space Ventures. 4 Overview of Space Investors .......................6 Space Investment by the Numbers ................13 Seed Funding . 16 Venture Capital . 17 Private Equity . 19 Acquisition . 19 Public Offering . 20 Debt Financing . 20 Investment Across All Types . 20 Valuation . 22 Space Investors by the Numbers ..................23 Overall . 23 Angels . 26 Venture Capital Firms . 27 Private Equity Groups . 30 Corporations . 31 Banks and Other Financial Institutions . 34 Start-Up Space: What’s Next? . 35 Acknowledgements .............................37 3 Executive Summary The Start-Up Space series examines space investment in the 21st century and analyzes investment trends, focusing on investors in new companies that have acquired private financing. Start-up space companies had a record year of funding in 2018, newly attracting investment from entities like Boeing, Rolls Royce, and Morgan Stanley . Additionally, for the first time, the number of investors outside the United States nearly equals the number of investors within the United States. Some maturing ventures are now generating revenue, but many start-up space companies have not yet definitively demonstrated business case success. The overall viability of the start-up space ecosystem will be a critical topic in the next several years . Start-Up Space reports on investment in start-up space ventures, defined as space companies that began as angel- and venture capital-backed start-ups. The report tracks seed, venture, and private equity investment in start-up space ventures as they grow and mature, from 2000 through the end of 2018.
    [Show full text]
  • EXHIBITOR PROSPECTUS Conference: MARCH 12-15, 2018 Exhibition: MARCH 13-15, 2018 Walter E
    EXHIBITOR PROSPECTUS Conference: MARCH 12-15, 2018 Exhibition: MARCH 13-15, 2018 Walter E. Washington Convention Center Washington D.C. JOIN US FOR THE LARGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT GLOBAL SATELLITE AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY EVENT OF THE YEAR SATELLITE exhibitors and sponsors enjoy unparalleled access to prospective and current customers, as well as integrators and strategic partners at every level of the value chain. Use SATELLITE to: • Make Face-to-Face Connections • Build Brand Awareness • Announce New Products • Generate New Leads Exhibit space is going fast! • Solidify Business Relationships Contact us today to reserve your booth before it’s too late! www.SATShow.com | #SATShow | @SATELLITEDC INSIDE THE NUMBERS SATELLITE 2017 was the largest event in our 35+ year history, attracting thousands of new attendees from all end-user markets and industry. Overview Purchasing Plans 14,611 total SATELLITE registrants 28% of attendees will make a purchase 350 exhibiting companies within 6 months following the show 85,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space 39% of attendees will make a purchase 23% international registrants from more within 6-12 months following the show than 111 countries represented 33% of attendees will make a purchase 90+ members of the press, including tv coverage within 12-24 months following the show from CNBC, Bloomberg TV, Reuters, and more Attendees by Primary Business Purchasing Power Broadband/Broadcast — 10% 31% of SATELLITE attendees are C-level Business/Information Services/End User — 15% and executive management Military/Government
    [Show full text]
  • May 2020 Vol 12 Issue 9
    EIB World Trade Headlines Evolutions In Business • www.eib.com • (978) 256-0438 Fax: (978) 250-4529 • P.O. Box 4008, Chelmsford, MA 01824 May 15, 2020 – Volume 12, Issue 9 NEWSLETTER NOTES When Does Hand Sanitizer Expire? Here's How * When Does Hand Sanitizer to Know If It's Still Safe to Use Expire? … * DEPARTMENT OF… By Nancy Mattia May 01, 2020 * WTO IS THREATENED * How Slovakia Is Beating Among the products that have been in short supply since the novel coronavirus Covid-19 started sweeping the nation a few months ago is hand sanitizer. It's no wonder: * SEC probes Raytheon … Washing your hands on a frequent basis is one of the best defenses against contracting—or spreading—the deadly virus. If you're like most people, though, * Pentagon officials slam you've looked everywhere for a bottle of sanitizer only to find that all the grocery FCC’s Ligado … stores, online retailers, even office-supply stores say the same thing: out of * FCC relaxes federal review stock. Three little words, one big worry—what now? rules to … * Trade Show Floor Robots Then, you find a bottle that's been sitting in the back of your closet probably for several years. Is it still good, or does hand sanitizer expire after awhile? To find * Is American Manufacturing out, we investigated the facts on manufacturing and regulation. Falling … * Can AI Predict the Next Does hand sanitizer have an expiration date, and does it lose its effectiveness Pandemic? immediately after it? * Chinese Cyberattacks May Be Hindering … Yes, hand sanitizer does have an expiration date, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should throw it out if the date listed on the bottle has passed.
    [Show full text]
  • DOD Concerns About the FCC-Approved Ligado Network
    INSIGHTi DOD Concerns About the FCC-Approved Ligado Network Updated February 5, 2021 On April 20, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously approved an application by Ligado Networks LLC (Ligado) to “deploy a low-power [9.8 decibel watts (dBW)] terrestrial nationwide network in the 1526-1536 MHz, 1627.5-1637.5 MHz, and 1646.5-1656.5 MHz bands [of the electromagnetic spectrum] that will primarily support Internet of Things (IoT) services.” These frequency bands are traditionally used for satellite operations. The Department of Defense (DOD) opposed this decision—along with the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Interior, Department of Justice, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and others. That opposition related to concerns that Ligado’s proposed network could interfere with signals from satellites to Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Congress may consider federal agency concerns, including DOD concerns related to mission-critical systems and the FCC’s response, as it conducts oversight of the FCC’s ruling. Congress may also consider broader issues related to fifth generation (5G) mobile technologies, such as the allocation of spectrum among competing users and the impact of spectrum decisions on national security. DOD Concerns and Related Studies on GPS Interference In both its formal response to the FCC’s ruling and its May 6, 2020, testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), DOD cited two primary studies that shaped its belief that the Ligado network “would cause unacceptable operational impacts and adversely affect the military potential of GPS”: a 2018 DOT study and a 2016 classified study conducted by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Ligado Wins FCC Approval to Operate Near GNSS Band ION GNSS+ 2020, All Virtually
    Volume 30 No. 3 Summer 2020 THE SHOW MUST GO ON IT’S BA-A-A-CK! ION GNSS+ Ligado Wins FCC Approval to 2020, All Operate Near GNSS Band Virtually Widespread congressional and industry opposition has emerged following the Fed- eral Communications Commission (FCC) approval of a controversial plan by Ligado First the Summer Olympics, then Networks to establish a terrestrial broadband network in frequencies adjacent to the the Pendleton Roundup, and now, alas, most widely used GPS band. ION GNSS+ 2020. The unanimous FCC decision, announced April 20, reversed a previous decision in It’s a virtual world after all. 2011 that denied a similar proposal from Reston, Virginia-based LightSquared until Following careful consideration, the the risk of harmful interference to GPS could be removed. That decision followed an Institute of Navigation’s (ION) Satellite extensive test campaign in 2011 overseen by LightSquared and the GPS industry that Division has decided to hold this year’s demonstrated extensive interference with GPS and other GNSS equipment operating ION GNSS+ conference and exhibi- in the L1 band centered at 1575.42 MHz. tion at the ultimate safe social distance: Many ION members took part in conducting those tests — live over-the-air, in an- entirely digitally, remotely, online. echoic chambers, and simulated — that showed widespread interference to GPS receiv- The ION reached this decision ers by transmissions at both upper and lower bands in the 1526–1559 MHz spectrum in light of COVID-19 and the as- where the Ligado wants to operate. sociated domestic and international In February 2012, the FCC moved to vacate LightSquared’s request based on the travel restrictions that make it virtu- conclusion of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ally impossible for many speakers and (NTIA) that no practical way to mitigate potential GPS interference existed.
    [Show full text]