Photo: Via Satellite archive

The FCC has opened a review of spectrum sharing between Geostationary (GEO) and Non-Geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems, and invited comments on satellite power limits. 

During Monday’s open meeting, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that initiates a review and comment period on these issues. The FCC released the NPRM earlier this month. 

According to the FCC, this review covers the spectrum sharing regime between GEO and NGSO systems operating in the 10.7-12.7, 17.3-18.6, and 19.7-20.2 GHz bands. It also invites comment on equivalent power-flux density limits (EPFD) limits, which facilitate spectrum sharing by GEO and NGSO operators.

The FCC said the NPRM “invite[s] comment on how satellite technology and operations have changed since equivalent power-flux density limits were developed and adopted, how the current limits protect GEO networks and impact the services provided by NGSO systems, and whether alternative sharing frameworks would promote greater efficiency to the benefit of American consumers.” 

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in his opening statement that the current power limits, developed in the 1990s, “hamper satellite broadband by degrading signal quality, reducing coverage, limiting capacity, and making it harder to share spectrum with other satellite systems.”

“Back then, high-speed satellite broadband was considered the stuff of science fiction and the ability to share between satellite systems was primitive. Fast forward to today, and breakthrough advances enable efficient spectrum use and sharing, making satellite broadband a real competitive option,” Carr said. “My hope and expectation is that this effort will clear a path for even faster and more robust broadband services from space.”

Chairman Carr, along with FCC commissioners Geoffrey Starks, Nathan Simington, and Anna Gomez approved the NPRM on Monday.

SpaceX petitioned the FCC in August 2024 to initiate this proceeding, arguing that EPFD limits have “wide-ranging constraints and costs on virtually all aspects of next-generation” NGSO fixed satellite service (FSS) systems. 

Viasat and EchoStar both submitted objections to initiating this NPRM. 

EPFD limits were a contentious issue at WRC-23 spectrum conference, where NGSO operators Amazon and SpaceX urged the conference to adopt a future agenda item to study and potentially update the rules, while some GEO operators and countries strongly opposed this, arguing it would disrupt services from GEO. 

The outcome was that EPFD limits are not on the formal agenda for WRC-27. There will be studies through 2027, but they are not intended for regulatory action to be taken at WRC-27.

The FCC said in the NPRM that while it moves forward with this review for the United States, it will “continue to monitor and participate in international studies and share our experience with other countries.”

The FCC will seek comment on improving information sharing among GEO and NGSO operators, enhance spectrum sharing, how to address concerns of aggregate interference. 

“By taking a fresh look at today’s satellite technology and operations, this proceeding will ensure highly efficient and effective use of the shared spectrum, and support a more efficient and competitive market for satellite broadband and other in-demand services while uncapping the potential of satellite constellations that were unthinkable when the current regime was  developed, to the ultimate benefit of American consumers,” the FCC said in the NPRM.

The FCC’s new Space Bureau chief Jay Schwarz spoke to industry recently at both SATELLITE and Space Symposium about his desire to modernize and simplify space operation licensing, saying that he wants to flip the role of gatekeeper to a bias for permission.

Editor’s note: This story was first published on April 17 and updated on April 28 after the NPRM was adopted.