Telesat GEO Inc., a subsidiary of Telesat Corporation, is preparing to shift its satellite signals off a designated frequency band, 160 megahertz of Upper C-band spectrum, in the contiguous United States. The move follows a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order.
The regulatory framework aims to repurpose the frequency for next-generation terrestrial wireless services. In exchange for vacating the spectrum band, Telesat qualifies for US$189 million in incentive payments. Securing this payout relies entirely on Telesat GEO meeting transition deadlines mandated by the FCC. The agency will also reimburse the company for reasonable transition costs approved by a designated clearinghouse.
Spectrum reallocation continues to shape the North American telecommunications market. The FCC order allocates a broader US$6.3 billion incentive pool for satellite operators willing to clear the Upper C-band. Industry estimates suggest the required hardware and operational adjustments will generate transition costs between US$4 billion and US$5 billion across the sector.
Satellite operators must submit transition plans to the FCC by Nov. 5, 2026. These plans will outline the technical procedures required to clear the designated spectrum without disrupting customer networks. The main spectrum transition deadline falls in December 2030, and the FCC expects full completion by June 2031.
“The FCC’s Order establishes a clear path forward for the Upper C-band transition and will help accelerate the availability of spectrum needed to expand next-generation wireless services,” stated Telesat president and CEO Dan Goldberg. “Building on our successful execution of the previous C-band transition, we look forward to working closely with customers, earth station operators, and regulators to efficiently clear this spectrum while ensuring continuity of services.”
Telesat will spend the coming months engaging with earth station operators and enterprise clients to manage the technical migration. The company brings relevant experience to the table, having previously completed a similar clearing process for the lower C-band frequencies. Managing signal continuity remains the primary operational hurdle for satellite service providers during these transitions.
The financial injection from the incentive payments will support Telesat operations and capital expenditures in the coming years.