Transcript:

Simon:
Hello and welcome to the show, supported by Media Proxy. Now, today we’re speaking to a new company to kitplus TV and one that is gearing up for the rollout of 5G in 46 top US markets as early as December this year.

Matt:
Absolutely, yeah. We’d like to welcome Jill Sorgi from Challenger Communications. Hi, Jill. Welcome to the show.

Jill Sorgi :
Hello gentlemen. Thank you very much.

Matt:
So before we touch on the main topic of today, C-band, let’s start with some background information on Challenger. Who’s Challenger? What’s Challenger?

Jill Sorgi :
So Challenger Communications is a Michigan company. We have been in business since 2011 as Challenger, but our history goes back into the early nineties. The owner of Challenger was one of the original owners of Patriot Antenna Systems. So we’ve been manufacturing antennas for decades, and they’ve been performing for decades. So we’ve been around quite a while.

Simon:
Okay. So let’s look at C-Band now. I must admit it’s something relatively new to me. Can you explain what it is and I guess why we need it?

Jill Sorgi :
So basically, the C-Band is the spectrum that’s been used since early cable TV. Home cable TV. And at this time, the C-Band spectrum is being shrunken down to make some room to be also used for the 5G frequency for mobile phones, communications, that sort of thing. So it’s becoming more relevant now because everyone out there kind of has to look at their equipment to see if it’s up to par or what is going to need to change to continue to receive their frequencies and be able to offer all the services that the providers recently were used to offering.

Simon:
So, Jill, what do people need in terms of hardware to use C-Band?

Jill Sorgi :
So basically, we need our C-Band antenna. The size is important. We’re looking at anywhere from a 3.8 meter to up to a 4.5 meter is going to be known for better reception. And then we still need our C-Band feeds, LNBs, and then filters as well.

Matt:
And I understand some deadlines are approaching? What’s this about? Probably the US only.

Jill Sorgi :
Yep. That’s correct. So our phase one deadline is coming up quickly. It’s December 5th, 2021. So basically, what’s going on now is there are phase one filters that we need to get in place on those antennas. And then, as we go into next year, our phase two deadline, that’ll be December 5th, 2023. So there’s going to be another filter on the market that will have to come on next year.

Simon:
So out of interest, Jill, who are your main customers? I guess it’s the major telcos? Do you have any other types of customers using your antennas?

Jill Sorgi :
Yep, you’re correct. So any major telcos, but also even smaller rural “Mom and Pop” is what we call them. Sometimes smaller cable TV providers in rural communities. And anybody receiving that C-Band for data or radio.

Matt:
So can we go into why there is an urgency for your customers or for radio broadcasts, TV broadcasters to get this hardware update by this deadline? I mean, what’s happening to C-Band?

Jill Sorgi :
Exactly. So the C-Band frequency, which is what we’re used to in our industry it’s the 3.7 to 4.2 gigahertz, and our major providers, satellite providers, have been transmitting using that frequency. It’s going to shrink now. The FCC allows a big portion of that for flexible use licenses, which are these 5G providers. So in phase one, they’re shrinking it down to… It’s either we’re starting at 3.7, they’re coming down to a… It’s either 3.8 or 3.9 in phase one. And then, in phase two, it’s going to go to 4.0 to 4.2 gigahertz. And that’ll be where C-Band is transmitting as we know it for television providers.

Simon:
And is that the last one you mentioned, is that the one where the deadline is in… Was it 2023?

Jill Sorgi :
That is correct. So I believe it’s December 5th, 2023. That’s the deadline that the goal is to be down to that 4.0 to 4.2.

Simon:
That’s great Thank you so much, Jill. It’s been really enlightening. Can you tell us where people can find out more?

Jill Sorgi :
Yes. So if you go to cbandready.com, we have a website set up, and we have a lot of good resources, links to the FCC report and order, the relocation, clearinghouse, things like that, as well as equipment that we offer that can help you be C-Band ready.

Simon:
Brilliant. Thank you very much, Jill. Thanks for your time. Thanks for joining us. And as Jill says, check out cbandready.com for more information and all those extra resources. Thanks to Media Proxy for their support of kitplus TV, and thank you for watching. We’ll see you next time.

Jill Sorgi :
Thank you, gentlemen.

Matt:
Okay.