As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) contemplates reallocating upper C-band spectrum for wireless applications, video distribution providers are witnessing a surge in demand for IP-based alternatives to traditional satellite delivery. The FCC's vote on November 20th set the stage for a notice of proposed rulemaking, potentially freeing up 100 to 180 megahertz in the 3.98 to 4.2 gigahertz range for auction by July 4, 2027, as dictated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This follows the earlier transition of the lower C-band in 2023, which shifted satellite operations from the 3.7 to 3.98 gigahertz range.
LTN, a player in IP video distribution, submitted comments on November 12th, highlighting Transport Stream over Internet Protocol (IP-TS) as "a proven, reliable, and low-cost alternative distribution method to C-band satellite transmission." The submission included proposed revisions to the draft rulemaking, following a meeting between company executives and Arpan Sura, senior counsel to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, on November 10th.
Malik Khan, executive chairman and co-founder at LTN, observed that the anticipated spectrum reallocation has spurred networks and station groups to assess alternatives to satellite distribution. “Many networks and station groups that we work with have already decided to migrate a large portion, or all, of their channels away from satellite to an alternative model harnessing broadcast-grade IP video distribution technology,” Khan stated.
Khan further noted that LTN has experienced a 45% annual growth in channel count over the past nine years, currently delivering close to 8,000 channels and millions of live events annually via its IP network. The company reports having facilitated satellite-to-IP migrations for nearly 2,000 Tier 1 broadcasters, MVPD and vMVPD head-ends, and content owner sites, extending its reach to affiliates across 98% of pay-TV households. Notable examples include Tennis Channel and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, which transitioned to LTN’s IP network in 2025, following in the footsteps of TelevisaUnivision and MSG Networks. The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network reported a cost reduction of approximately 60% in its distribution expenses after transitioning prior to the 2025 MLB season.
According to Khan, IP migration timelines have become more streamlined as infrastructure capabilities have advanced. He suggested that an MVPD can transition channels from satellite to IP-TS delivery in a matter of hours through a high-capacity gateway. He added, “The infrastructure is already in place with purpose-built, broadcast-grade IP networks delivering video at <200ms latency, and providing service-level agreements to match or exceed the reliability of satellite".
He highlighted that migration strategies differ depending on the broadcaster. Khan mentioned that several successful transitions begin with hybrid approaches, involving the migration of one or more channels to IP while maintaining some satellite delivery, or employing dual-illumination of content until a complete switchover. The FCC document recognizes the decreasing utilization of C-band, particularly for media content services, as customers shift toward Ku-band, fiber optics, Transport Stream over Internet Protocol, or content delivery networks.
The rulemaking aims to gather feedback on transition timelines for existing C-band customers as they move to alternative distribution technologies. Khan highlighted that aside from spectrum availability concerns, various factors are driving broadcaster interest in IP distribution. IP-based models eliminate channel bandwidth limitations and distribution capacity constraints associated with satellite transponders, enabling the delivery of enhanced content quality and more localized variations. "IP migration isn’t always all-or-nothing,” Khan said. “Many successful approaches start with hybrid models, moving one or more channels to IP, while keeping some on satellite, or dual-illuminating until a full switchover.”
The FCC proposal bases its transition rules on those implemented during the lower C-band reallocation, which includes cost reimbursement structures for eligible space station and earth station operators. The commission seeks input on whether to provide reimbursement for transition costs on a site-by-site basis for earth station operators repacking into remaining C-band spectrum, or a lump sum reimbursement across an operator’s footprint for transitioning to alternative distribution methods.