Upper C-band exit plan: build a patchwork, not a replacement
The article discusses how incumbent users of the upper C-band are evaluating replacement distribution options as the FCC advances plans to auction 100–180MHz of upper C-band spectrum for 5G/6G (and potentially direct-to-device use), with the auction required to complete by July 2027. Major programmers including A+E, Fox, NBCUniversal, Paramount Skydance, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery argue there is no single replacement for the upper C-band’s reliability and anticipate a multi-technology transition involving fiber, Ku-band, LEO satellite broadband and possibly further C-band repacking using additional compression such as HEVC or VC-1. A small operator, WinDBreak Cable, illustrates constraints in relying on fiber capacity and availability, favoring hybrid Ku-band plus fiber backup approaches.
Key Takeaways
- FCC is moving toward an upper C-band auction (100–180MHz) with a July 2027 completion mandate, pressuring video incumbents to relocate distribution.
- Top programmers say reliability is the core issue: no single platform matches upper C-band’s performance, so redundancy across multiple networks is likely.
- Fiber isn’t a universal answer—small operators like WinDBreak Cable cite limited capacity/availability, favoring Ku-band primary with fiber as short-duration backup.
- Vendors and operators are floating a “stack” approach: Ku-band, terrestrial fiber, LEO broadband, 5G/6G, and further C-band repacking enabled by HEVC/VC-1.
Why It Matters
This is a reminder that “spectrum policy” is also “video resiliency policy.” If upper C-band distribution fragments into multi-path hybrids, programmers and MVPDs will face higher engineering complexity, new redundancy costs, and tougher operational requirements (failover, monitoring, SLA management). For streaming-era orgs, it’s the same playbook as multi-CDN—except applied upstream to contribution and national distribution. The meme to watch: reliability is no longer a single pipe, it’s a portfolio. Teams that can orchestrate that portfolio (and prove uptime) will set the next bar for distribution competitiveness.
Read full article at lightreading.com
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