Sinclair Broadcast Group announced they are signing a 3-year deal with USSI-Global to upgrade their vast satellite network. The deal’s aim is to ensure the broadcast corporation’s hardware meets the FCC’s incentive deadline by December 2023. USSI will inspect Sinclair’s current infrastructure and provide the technological upgrades it needs to lead the way to a 5G network.
Sinclair Broadcast Group
Sinclair Broadcast Group is a long-time telecommunications corporation that provides brick-and-mortar stations for news providers such as Fox News and ABC. With a vast reach in the field, Sinclair has a reach in an estimated 40% of all American households. The conglomerate is also the nation’s second-largest station provider, owning 193 stations across the country. Aside from newscasting, its diversified reach includes sports (Fox Sports Network) and streaming (Stirr). Its wide distribution is made possible with its 97 satellite facilities nationwide. Currently, their satellites utilize C-Band frequencies which are slowly becoming outdated. The aim of the deal with USSI is to free up a portion of their current C-Band range so 5G can slowly, but surely, take over the company’s frequency range. This transition is expected to lead to a greater reach in the long run.
FCC 2023 Deadline
As the country’s telecom regulatory body, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken steps to lead America’s transition into a 5G network. Succeeding the current 4G trend with cutting-edge technology, 5G will provide even greater Wi-Fi access than ever before. The FCC lifted strict regulations regarding C-band usage in February 2020. The Commission also offered monetary incentives for companies that alter their telecom systems to pave the way for 5G. The only caveat is they must do it before an established date. In the case of Sinclair and USSI, that date is December 2023. Since 5G networks cannot take over our entire telecom infrastructure overnight, without causing severe systemic damage, the process needs to be slow and steady. As the C-Band frequencies phase-out, 5G can safely take over.
America’s Digital Divide
Currently, the rural areas of America are on the low-end of a digital divide. Residents in wide spacious fields and farmlands typically suffer from poor internet access and limited phone reach. Sinclair’s customer base mainly originates in the deep South and Midwest regions. The 5G deal with USSI will certainly make great strides to promote their reach and accessibility. Following the aforementioned deadline, USSI said with certainty that the work to upgrade the satellite infrastructure will be completed by December 2023.
About Sinclair Broadcast Group
Sinclair is a diversified media company and leading provider of local sports and news. The Company owns and/or operates 23 regional sports network brands. Being one of the biggest names in the industry, it comes as no surprise that the company works and provides services to many other bodies and platforms and covers a wide market. Just to put things into perspective, the following numbers stand-
- Nearly 200 Television Stations
- Coverage in more than 90+ Markets in Different Geographical Regions.
When it comes to classifying the best news providers in the nation, the Sinclair Broadcast Group always finds a mention in any ranking list. It creates content by working with nearly all the established stations in the world. When it comes to content delivery, creation and dissemination, we are talking about all mediums ranging from television, channels, video programs, and even internet media.
ABOUT USSI GLOBAL
Leading digital transformation, on the ground and in the air, USSI Global is a customer-centric program management company with over 35 years of supporting network, media, broadcast, and digital signage solutions. Our mission is to deliver these quality and customized services globally, providing our customers with the necessary tools to get the job done right, on time, the first time. We are available 24/7/365 and ensure an outstanding customer experience every time.
Leave a Reply