The latest from the 
River Advisers team

So long as there is an allocation in the national frameworks to the intended satellite service — such as Fixed‑Satellite Service (FSS), Mobile‑Satellite Service (MSS) or Earth Exploration‑Satellite Service (EESS) — licensing the use of radio spectrum is just standard procedure. Right? Unfortunately not. In practice, a national spectrum allocation only signals the potential to be licensed in that country for use by satellite devices, services and equipment – often by default t

In the satellite world, particularly among startups and even investors, there’s often a misconception that an ITU filing alone gives you the right to operate satellite services worldwide. However, there’s no such thing as an “ITU license” or “ITU approval”. Let’s break this down and clarify what ITU filings are, what they’re not, and why operators need to go much further than simply filing to ensure their systems can operate in compliance with the relevant national and intern

In the space and satellite industry, one myth stubbornly persists: the idea that the ITU provides a magical piece of software that automates or facilitates frequency coordination. It comes up time and again, especially among newer entrants. Let’s set the record straight. There is no such thing as ITU coordination software. And that’s by design. The Truth About ITU Tools The ITU offers a suite of tools such as SpaceCap, GIMS, GIBC, BR-SIS, and Space Explorer to assist wi

Every four years, the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) takes critical decisions on how the world uses the radio spectrum. If you ask many industry professionals what WRC is about, you'll often hear: "It's for 5G." Or now, "It's all about 6G." But here's the truth: that’s a myth. While mobile/IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) issues draw significant attention and headlines, they are only part of the picture. But if you look at the actual substance of the a

One of the most persistent misconceptions in the satellite industry is that small satellites are restricted to operating in S-band or UHF spectrum. This belief has become so entrenched that it often shapes mission design before teams even explore what’s truly possible. Let’s be clear: this is a myth, not a rule; and it’s time we moved past it. The ITU Doesn’t Care About Your Satellite’s Size The ITU Radio Regulations make no distinction based on mass or volume. They classif

Among the satellite industry, the notion of a “pan-European licence” continues to mislead many operators and investors – particularly those from outside the bloc. Despite ambitions for a Single Market, there is currently no such thing as a “regional permission” for providing satellite services across the EU or wider Europe. Instead, operators must navigate the spectrum and telecoms approvals in each of the national territories. Fragmentation, Not Federation The EU’s current f