SES’s Fourth and Fifth C-band Satellites for the United States Successfully Launched
18.3.2023 04:13:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
SES announced today that the SES-18 and SES-19 satellites, designed and assembled by Northrop Grumman, were successfully launched by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States, at 7:38 pm local time on Friday, March 17.
The two American-made satellites are the fourth and fifth – and final – satellites to be launched as part of SES’s C-band transition plan, following the launch of SES-22 in June 2022 and the tandem launch of SES-20 and SES-21 in October 2022. These satellites are essential parts of SES’s plan to achieve the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) program to clear C-band spectrum to enable wireless operators to deploy 5G services across the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) while ensuring that SES’s existing customers continue to enjoy uninterrupted TV, radio, and critical data transmission services to millions of Americans.
Since 2020, SES, along with other satellite operators, has been clearing 300 MHz of C-band spectrum and transitioning customer services to the remaining allocated 200 MHz of spectrum by launching new satellites, building new ground stations and sending hundreds of satellite earth station technicians across the country to install new filters on customers’ antennas.
By providing contractual service protections to customers who receive video services in the U.S., SES-18 and SES-19 will enable SES to safely clear C-band spectrum to help accomplish the FCC’s ambitious goals for American 5G innovation. SES-18 is expected to begin operations in June 2023 at 103 degrees West replacing SES-3 C-band payload and SES-19 will be co-located with SES-22 at 135 degrees West.
“This successful launch marks one of the last remaining milestones on our journey to clear a portion of the C-band, and we are incredibly grateful to Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, and all of our partners who helped make this plan a reality,” said Steve Collar, CEO of SES. “We are now on the home stretch in protecting our customers’ broadcasts while freeing crucial 5G spectrum and we look forward to successfully concluding our work well before the FCC’s December 2023 accelerated clearing deadline.”
More information on the SES-18 and SES-19 satellites can be found on the SES C-band in the U.S. newsroom.
Follow us on:
Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram
Read our Blogs >
Visit the Media Gallery >
About SES
SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world’s only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world’s leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES’s video network carries ~8,000 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 369 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230317005430/en/
Contact information
Suzanne Ong
External Communications
+352 710 725 500
suzanne.ong@ses.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Car Connectivity Consortium Expands Focus on Digital Access for Two-Wheelers and Micromobility2.11.2026 10:00:00 EET | Press release
The Car Connectivity Consortium® (CCC), the global organization advancing interoperable connectivity between vehicles and devices, today highlighted its expanding work across the two-wheeler and micromobility markets ahead of EICMA 2026 in Milan, Italy. Through its Light Motor & Mobility Task Group (LMTG), CCC is bringing member companies together to address the distinct digital access needs of these markets and identify opportunities to advance standardization and interoperability. Key highlights of CCC's two-wheeler and micromobility work include: Addressing two-wheeler digital access needs: LMTG is examining requirements across motorcycles, scooters, e-bikes and other two- and three-wheeled vehicles. Exploring new applications for digital key technology: Member discussions include vehicle access and starting, access to vehicle components, and digital key sharing. Building broader industry participation: CCC will engage with manufacturers and technology companies at EICMA 2026 to dis
Liberis and Qred Complete Merger Following Regulatory Approval to Create Global SMB Financial Platform2.11.2026 10:00:00 EET | Press release
Liberis, a leading global embedded finance platform, and Qred, one of Europe’s foremost digital small business banks, today announced the completion of their merger, first announced in June 2026, following approval from the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (SFSA). The merger combines Qred’s regulated banking capability and direct relationships with small businesses with Liberis’s embedded finance technology and distribution through more than 30 partners, including Deliveroo, Vagaro and Nexi. The group serves more than 60,000 small businesses across 17 countries and has access to approximately 11.5 million addressable merchants. Qred’s deposit-funded banking model and direct customer relationships complement Liberis’s partner-led distribution. Together, the businesses bring two routes to small business finance: through a regulated bank and through platforms that businesses already use. The group’s ambition is to broaden the financial services available to small businesses and its
OpenGate Capital Completes the Acquisition of Maersk Training, the Global Safety Training and Gas Safety Services Business of Maersk2.11.2026 10:00:00 EET | Press release
OpenGate Capital (“OpenGate”), a global private equity firm, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Maersk Training and its subsidiary Maersk H2S Safety Services. The company, a provider of global safety training and gas safety services, is being carved out from A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S (MAERSK A:CPH), a listed integrated logistics company. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Headquartered in Svendborg, Denmark, Maersk Training is a leading global provider of essential safety services and training. Through Maersk H2S Safety Services, the company provides specialized outsourced hydrogen sulphide and Health, Safety and Environment safety services for customers in high-risk operating environments. The H2S Safety Services team provides onsite supervision, monitoring and safety equipment maintenance where the safety of personnel and the protection of assets are critical. Through its training business, the company also delivers safety training, competency developmen
Sofinnova Partners Promotes Javier Nunez-Vicandi to Partner, Strengthening Its Digital Medicine Strategy2.11.2026 09:00:00 EET | Press release
Sofinnova Partners ("Sofinnova"), a leading European venture capital firm in life sciences, based in Paris, London, and Milan, today announced the promotion of Javier Nunez-Vicandi to Partner. He joins Edward Kliphuis and Simon Turner in the firm’s Digital Medicine strategy, which invests in startups working at the intersection of biology, data, and AI. Since joining Sofinnova in 2022, Nunez-Vicandi has played a key role in the development of the firm's Digital Medicine strategy and broader AI efforts. He helped shape key AI investment theses within the Digital Medicine Strategy and is an observer on the boards of Latent Labs, Bioptimus, Cure51, Deepc, and Kiro. Javier has also recently led an investment that remains in stealth. Within Sofinnova's broader AI efforts, Javier co-led the project that created Sofia, Sofinnova's proprietary AI platform, which supports investments and scientific analysis. As part of this effort, Javier helped lead the firm's collaborations with AWS and NVIDI
SES to Supply Finnair with Ground-like Connectivity Experience in the Skies2.11.2026 09:00:00 EET | Press release
SES today announced a new agreement with Finnair, Finland's flagship airline, to equip 18 E195-E2s with multi-orbit in-flight connectivity, enabling Finnair’s customers to enjoy fast, reliable internet access throughout their journey. Under the agreement, the Embraer E2 aircraft, which will be line-fitted at Embraer, will be equipped with SES’s electronically steered array antenna (ESA) offering reliable connectivity to the SES multi-orbit network, combining SES’s geostationary (GEO) satellite services with low-earth orbit (LEO) capacity from its partner Eutelsat. The first connected aircraft is expected to enter service in 2027. “Inflight Wi-Fi is a core part of the travel experience,” said Blane Boynton, Senior Vice President Aviation at SES. “SES’s multi-orbit network delivers the reliability, performance and flexibility airlines need today while providing a clear path for future growth. This agreement is another testament to the growing confidence leading airlines are placing in ou
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom