The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing to modernize its approach to satellite power limits. This move, spearheaded by the FCC Space Bureau chief Jay Schwarz, aims to streamline regulations and address outdated rules governing Ka and Ku band satellite frequencies. Speaking at the Space Symposium, Schwarz highlighted a recently issued public notice, stating that many existing rules, particularly those concerning Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD), "were designed 30 years ago."
A key focus is reviewing how non-geostationary (NGSO) and geostationary (GSO) operators share spectrum. The FCC has scheduled a vote for April 28th to address this crucial issue. Schwarz emphasized the technical complexity involved, stating, "There’s going to be … the need for good technical analysis, but the end goal is to make sure that we have great broadband for Americans across the country, but particularly in rural areas.”
This review has been a subject of intense debate, including at the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC). While a compromise allowed for technical studies in 2027, differing interpretations exist on the implications. GSO operators, such as Viasat, believe regulatory proposals are delayed until 2031, whereas NGSO operators like SpaceX advocate for quicker action. The FCC plans to vote on a SpaceX petition initiating a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to review GSO and NGSO spectrum sharing.
Schwarz also addressed the need for streamlining licensing procedures. He described the current licensing system as "a classic gatekeeper system," designed for a bygone era. The FCC aims to shift from a "bias for gatekeeping to a bias for permission," drawing parallels to deregulation in other U.S. industries. He envisions significant improvements to the licensing system, stating, "At the FCC, we want to imagine how innovation can happen not just by making our licensing system 15% better. We want to make it 500% better."