LTN hits 3,000 migrations as FCC sets Upper C-Band auction rules

The shrinkage of C-Band capacity forces a fundamental shift in distribution architecture. By transitioning to IP, broadcasters gain 99.9999% reliability and sub-200ms latency, matching or exceeding legacy satellite performance while enabling 1080p60 HDR formats. This move bridges the gap between traditional linear feeds and digital platform demand, offering flexibility for regionalization and localized advertising that fixed satellite multiplexes lack. As the 2027 auction approaches, watch for the FCC’s reimbursement framework to determine if IP-based solutions will be fully subsidized for incumbent operators.

The FCC's July 2026 vote to auction 160 MHz of Upper C-Band spectrum significantly expands the original 100 MHz minimum mandated by Congress. Per FCC reporting in July 2026, this move will create a contiguous 440 MHz 'super band' (3.7–4.14 GHz) for 5G and 6G services, an effort estimated to generate tens of billions of dollars for the U.S. Treasury. While wireless carriers like T-Mobile have praised the aggressive timeline, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has cautioned that exceeding 100 MHz could jeopardize distribution for stations still reliant on satellite feeds.

Incumbent satellite operators must now begin the complex process of compressing existing video services into a remaining 40 MHz guard band. According to Advanced Television (July 2026), SES is already procuring five specifically designed replacement satellites to support clients during this transition, a project estimated to cost $3.6 billion. Under the new FCC rules, winning bidders in the 2027 auction will be required to reimburse these relocation costs for eligible incumbents, including satellite providers and broadcasters who opt for terrestrial IP-based migrations.

To ensure signal continuity, the FCC set a December 2030 deadline for wireless services to begin in the top 75 U.S. markets, with the remainder following by July 2031. This timeline aligns with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for retrofitting aircraft radio altimeters to prevent interference. As documented by SatNews (July 2026), these regulatory milestones are driving a surge in production-scale IP infrastructure as companies like Fox and Scripps prioritize IP-native, software-based architectures to avoid potential content supply disruptions.