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Euroconsult Report Anticipates Decrease in C-Band Demand and Capacity 

By Rachel Jewett | June 6, 2022

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A new Euroconsult report that analyzed C-band frequency use found that demand for extended C-band capacity is on a declining trend, and demand is expected to decline as well. 

Euroconsult issued the C-band report on June 3 which looked at the use of extended C-band, planned C-band, and the 7025-2027 MHz band for satellite services. The independent study focused on satellite communication and television services for member countries of the Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG), the African Telecommunication Union (ATU), the European Conference of Posts and Telecommunications (CEPT) and Russia.

The report found that about 70% of the 54 satellites currently deploying extended/planned C-band downlink and visible from the studied region are expected to no longer be in operation by 2030. The extended C-band is from 3400-3700 and 6425-6725 MHz, and the planned C-band is from •4500-4800 and 6725-7025 MHz.

Euroconsult said that demand for extended C-band capacity at 3400-3700 MHz and for the associated extended C-band uplinks is on a declining trend which seems likely to continue. The relatively low use rate of a majority of those satellites, combined with the limited prospects for usage, results in a limited rationale for their replacement or new programs. Euroconsult concluded that there is a low probability for investment in new planned C-band satellites and there will be a gradual erosion in the use of the band to the benefit of higher frequency bands. 

“The vast majority of the capacity usage appears to be for telecom applications ahead of TV channel distribution” said Euroconsult CEO Pacôme Révillon “Usage of the band appears on a declining trend, with a few hundred terminals using the extended C-band for various connectivity purposes, and the carriage of around 200 TV channels primarily for distribution to cable networks within Russia and terrestrial emitters in certain African countries. A limited number of sites, though, including certain gateways and TT&C locations, can be critical for certain users of the band, and require adequate protection at least until the related satellite systems reach the end of their operational life.”

The full report is available for free download.