Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) said the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized the launch and operation of a next-generation L-band satellite at 101 degrees West. This follows the April 5 Industry Canada authorization granted to MSV’s Canadian affiliate to operate an L-band satellite at 107.3 degrees West. Together, these two authorizations will enable MSV to replace its existing satellites and utilize the full compliment of spectrum available to it today, the company said.

The order limits MSV to 10 MHz of spectrum, the same amount the FCC assigned to MSV’s current satellite at 101 degrees West. MSV plans to launch the new satellites within five years.

“The FCC’s authorization enables MSV to deploy a ubiquitous, interoperable and redundant integrated satellite-terrestrial system that will allow us to finally fulfill the dream of wireless everywhere,” MSV Vice Chairman and CEO Alexander Good said in a statement. “This authorization allows us to move our focus from the regulatory arena to building out the world’s most innovative and capable wireless network using the most power satellites ever built and our patented ancillary terrestrial component technology.”