The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a “first-come, first-served” licensing process for geostationary satellite applications. The FCC, however, decided to retain the existing “processing round” system for non-geostationary satellite applications.

The FCC said the goal of the new system is “to create a regulatory environment in which satellite providers can respond quickly and efficiently to the challenges of a competitive telecommunications industry, and ultimately to provide new satellite services to consumers as expeditiously as possible. The central revision is to create a queue for satellite applications whereby each application will be considered under the commission’s public interest standard in the order in which it is filed.”

To prevent the filing of speculative applications to hold open an orbital slot for future use or to sell it for profit, the FCC is requiring licensees to post hefty $5 million to $7.5 million bonds within 30 days after receiving licenses.

For analysis of this regulatory development, check out the April 28 issue of SATELLITE NEWS. For information on subscriber to PBI Media’s satellite newsletters, check out our Web site at https://www.satellitetoday.com.