U.S. Capitol Building. Photo: Wikimedia.

Senators introduced bipartisan legislation this week aimed at streamlining the application process for new satellites. 

Senators Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Peter Welch, D-Vermont, introduced the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act on January 14 which would set a one-year deadline for the FCC to make a decision on a license application. 

The stated goal of the legislation is to incentivize commercial satellite operators to base operations in the United States over foreign jurisdictions where satellite application processes may be less burdensome. Another goal is to expand broadband access to underserved areas. 

“Innovative companies that want to expand access to high-speed Internet for Americans face an outdated regulatory process, leading to massive delays in the deployment of new satellite technologies. I am pleased to join with Senator Welch in reintroducing this legislation and create a clear, standardized FCC review process to prevent unnecessary delays, keep commercial satellite operators under the U.S. flag, and accelerate high-speed internet deployment to unserved communities,” Senator Cruz said in a statement. 

This is in line with work underway at the FCC as well. In October, the FCC kicked off a proceeding to streamline licensing, proposing a “licensing assembly line,” with the goal of making the U.S. a friendlier regulatory environment for space. 

A number of industry organizations related to satellite and space technologies support the new legislation. 

“Standardizing the regulatory review process to prevent unnecessary licensing delays will help ensure continued American innovation, industry investment, and U.S. leadership in the global space economy,” Satellite Industry Association (SIA) President Tom Stroup commented. 

The Connect Everyone Coalition, Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) all issued statements in support. 

Mary Guenther, head of Space Policy at PPI, pointed to the importance for national security and maintaining U.S. space leadership over China. 

“The United States is in a strategic power competition with China, and a number of satellite services are critical to maintaining our technological leadership,” Guenther said. “Our current regulatory system for space is disjointed and overly burdensome, which makes it challenging for the innovative commercial space sector to out-innovate China. This bipartisan bill would take an important step toward simplifying the regulatory environment for the space industry and helping the United States remain the leader in space.”