FCC considers revised spectrum rules for low-Earth orbit satellite systems

The Federal Communications Commission on Dec. 14 will consider revising rules for spectrum-sharing among low-Earth orbit satellite systems, which supports providing broadband and communications applications from space.

FCC officials declined to comment on the details of the commission's plans to consider an order and notice of proposed rulemaking for the proposed revisions, but they pointed to a November note from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel who said potential changes to the spectrum-sharing requirements will "not only facilitate the deployment of this new technology, it will promote competition and make it easier for new competitors to enter the market."

Low-Earth orbit satellites travel closer to Earth than traditional satellites and have shorter delay times to process broadband, particularly in remote areas. But access to spectrum is crucial for supporting satellite-based broadband technology.

The FCC is considering the proposed rulemaking at a time when an increasing number of companies are eyeing the space market. Amazon.com Inc., for instance, is working on its Project Kuiper low-Earth orbit satellite constellation designed to provide fast, affordable broadband to unserved communities; while The Boeing Co. recently received approval from the FCC to launch 147 satellites that provide high-speed broadband access. The SpaceX Starklink system also has a network of low-orbit satellites that enable streaming, online gaming and video calls.

"There are more and more satellites being launched," said Mark O'Connor, co-founder and member of the Communications Law Counsel PLLC. "They are all transmitting from relatively low orbits, and trying to provide broadband internet."

Providing clearer regulations on spectrum-sharing in space could encourage new players to launch satellites that provide broadband, O'Connor said. "They need some certainty around what the rules are in terms of usage of the spectrum."

Many existing satellite systems have interference protections in space, which means new providers have to work around the networks and signals of incumbent satellites. O'Connor expects the FCC will seek comment on whether to sunset those protections as part of its proposed rulemaking, potentially paving the way for new players to enter the market. "They want to promote competition by making sure that the incumbents don't have a permanent advantage," O'Connor said.

	Government
	Dec. 14	The FCC will host its open commission meeting at 10:30 a.m. ET.
	Dec. 15	The Senate Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust and Consumer Rights will hold a hearing titled "The Impact of Consolidation and Monopoly Power on American Innovation."
	Dec. 16	The FTC will hold its open commission meeting at 1 p.m. ET.
	Industry, legal and think tank events
	Dec. 13	The Federal Communications Bar Association will host a virtual program on the role of artificial intelligence in emerging financial technology, including in payments, lending and digital identity verification systems.
	Dec. 13	The Brookings Institution will hold a webinar at 12 p.m. on the promises and risks of artificial intelligence with guest speaker and Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist Daron Acemoglu.
	Dec. 14-15	Bloomberg will host its Technology Summit titled "Pandemic Powers: Tech's Opportunities and Challenges."
	Dec. 15	The Cyber Threat Alliance and Sophos will host a webinar titled "The Sophos 2022 Threat Report: Interrelated threats target an interdependent world."

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Instagram chief's testimony may kickstart new legislation to protect kids online

Rohingya refugees sue Facebook, alleging online hate speech incited genocide

Cloud migration accelerates as pandemic heightens cybersecurity concerns

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