The FCC meeting room. Photo: FCC

The FCC voted to kick off two proceedings on Tuesday that will impact satellite licensing — one described as a licensing “overhaul” and another dealing with antennas in the upper microwave spectrum bands. 

With the first rulemaking, the FCC is proposing a “licensing assembly line” that it says would dramatically accelerate decisions on applications for satellite systems. The FCC said it plans to rethink parts of the licensing paradigm like processing rounds and what modifications require new approval. 

The second rulemaking looks to encourage more intensive use of the upper microwave spectrum bands and make licensing processes more efficient.

This comes after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr designated October “Space Month” for the commission and announced plans to launch these proceedings earlier this month. Carr said during Tuesday’s meeting that this regulation update looks to make the U.S. “the friendliest regulatory environment in the world” for space. 

“We propose to replace our legacy ‘default to no’ mindset with a ‘default to yes’ framework, built on permissionless innovation,” Carr said Tuesday.” We plan to do away with bespoke licensing processes in favor of a licensing assembly line. We intend to set out bright-line rules about the kinds of applications that serve the public interest, as well as simplifying applications, establishing clear timelines and increasing flexibility for licensed operations.” 

All three members of FCC leadership voted to adopt both Notice of Proposed Rulemakings during the Oct. 28 meeting, which now begins the process to update the regulations. The FCC currently has two vacant commissioner spots after Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks and Republican Commissioner Nathan Simington both stepped down this year, before the end of their terms. 

The Satellite Industry Association put out a statement in support of the proposed rule changes, saying it plans to work with the FCC to finalize the rule changes.  

“SIA and its members appreciate the FCC’s commitment to evolving the commercial satellite regulatory environment by streamlining the licensing process and further supporting America’s leadership role in the global commercial space economy. The proposed rule changes will greatly expedite the licensing process and provide for better utilization of some of the frequency bands available to the industry,” SIA President Tom Stroup said. 

The FCC has a number of initiatives in the works in regard to satellite spectrum — including a review of spectrum sharing and satellite power limits, and a proceeding to open 20,000 megahertz of spectrum for satellite broadband.