Wire · technology
SES, Eutelsat to receive over USD 6 bln for clearing upper C-band spectrum
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Fusion42 · 27 July 2026 · Fusion42 review
SES and Eutelsat will receive USD 6.1 billion combined in incentive payments to clear upper C-band spectrum (3.98-4.14 GHz) in the US, with SES receiving USD 5.6 billion and Eutelsat USD 504 million, plus reimbursements for clearing expenses. The FCC is simultaneously planning to auction 160 MHz of the freed spectrum.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Telecom & Connectivity, and 5 sources have reported it.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
If you build 5G network infrastructure or operate in terrestrial wireless, 160 MHz of mid-band spectrum is about to hit auction at depressed prices—satellite operators just got paid to get out of the way. The cost of entry to this band just dropped materially.
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5 sources · 27 Jul 2026
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