Proposed bill that earmarks $100 billion for rural broadband could help merger clear the DoJ, but it would also eliminate a 'critical backstop' for the satellite TV industry, MoffettNathanson's Craig Moffett says.
Satellites to date have been viewed as a last-resort option for 5G backhaul. But players ranging from OneWeb to AST SpaceMobile to Inmarsat are hoping to provide far more than that.
Fresh off its deal with Lockheed Martin, Omnispace appears to be busy. The company has hinted at potential discussions with players ranging from Dish Network to Verizon to the US Space Force.
The satellite broadband service, still in beta, has seen median speeds fluctuate in recent months even as users report a rise in burst speeds, according to new Ookla Speedtest data.
But SpaceX's satellite broadband service is poised to be a 'game-changer' for rural US coverage and in position to pursue a much larger global market, according to MoffettNathanson's Craig Moffett.
Operators want authorities to block SpaceX's launch of commercial services during a testing phase, saying it has not obtained licenses.
Britain's OneWeb has launched 146 satellites of 648, chasing SpaceX's Starlink on 1,300. But Neil Masterson's real race is for funding and customers.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Nokia lands ultra-broadband deal with United Group; Deutsche Telekom and Slovak Telekom lose appeal against EU fine; Virgin Media taps Infinera for Dublin backbone.
In their latest reports, several Wall Street analysts argue that the NFL's new 11-year, $110 billion TV rights deals with a slew of networks issue a crushing blow to the future of sports on linear, multichannel TV.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: KPN forms joint venture to accelerate fiber rollout; Qualcomm joins agri-robot trials; Orange shines in Tutela market report.
Proposed $20.8 billion deal to buy fellow cableco Shaw Communications would cement Rogers' position as the Comcast of the Great White North, with far more cable and broadband subscribers than any other Canadian provider.
