The bill addresses regulatory backlogs and proposes a fast-tracked shot clock for application approval
In sum — what to know:
Clearing regulatory backlog: Senate Commerce okays a bipartisan legislation with amendments, that seeks to streamline FCC’s approval processes for satellites
A broader broadband push: The bill comes as the administration ramps up effort to expand high-speed connectivity to rural households in America
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee last week passed a bill that would allow speedier approval of satellites by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The legislation aimed at streamlining satellite licensing, is part of a broader effort to make high-speed internet accessible in rural communities.
“Unlocking the full potential of America’s satellite industry is a major part of connecting more rural communities to high-speed internet,” said Democratic senator, Senator Welch.
It requires cutting “red tapes” that hamstring deployment of new satellite technologies, he argued.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz added, “We have more rocket launches and satellite deployments today than ever before. However, innovative companies that seek to expand broadband access to Americans are facing a regulatory process that is outdated, leading to massive delays in the deployment of new satellite technologies.
The senators who introduced the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining (SAT) Act, a bipartisan legislation, in January, argued that FCC’s current licensing frameworks introduce uncertainty causing a licensing bottleneck. As a remedy, they proposed an overhaul and modernization of its processes which will ensure U.S.’ competitiveness in the satellite sector.
FCC has a reputation for having overly restrictive legacy approval processes. In October last year, the LEO Policy Working Group published a report emphasizing this. The report, compiled by members of various industry groups, pointed that the full potential of LEO connectivity is being constrained by FCC’s outdated regulatory frameworks, which it described as “overly slow, bespoke, and burdensome.”
Highlighting LEO’s growing role in closing the digital divide, the report urged policymakers to create a regulatory environment that allows for inclusion of LEO in existing and forward-looking federal broadband subsidy programs for expansion of connectivity in remote and underserved areas.
For it’s part, the FCC has made several adjustments to organize and speed up its processing times, as new satellite applications have started piling up. However, the bill argued that radical changes are required to clear the backlog.
The bill proposes a one-year “shot clock” which requires FCC to revert to applicants with a final decision within 12 months of filing.
The bill was approved with a request for amendment. The original version would potentially lead to automatic approval of satellite projects upon expiration of a one and a half year timeline, which Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell challenged. Her office requested amendment to ensure that FCC retains authority to review all applications
“We all want faster licensing — but we made sure the FCC’s experts set the rules for what gets fast-tracked, not a one-size-fits-all shot clock that treats a ground antenna the same as a million satellite constellations,” Cantwell’s office said.
The bill has been passed on to the Senate Committee of Commerce, Science, and Transportation for evaluation — particularly of the “shot clock”.
The report comes after SpaceX sought approval in January to launch a shocking 1 million solar-powered satellites for his orbital data center mission. The FCC fast-tracked response to the filing by kicking off a public comment period.
“The FCC welcomes and now seeks comment on the SpaceX application for Orbital Data Centers,” wrote chairman Brendan Carr on X.
