The FCC has announced plans to streamline US rules governing the licensing and operation of communications spacecraft and associated earth stations.
A notice of proposed rule making was launched in late September to cut red tape to accelerate the…
The FCC has announced plans to streamline US rules governing the licensing and operation of communications spacecraft and associated earth stations.
A notice of proposed rule making was launched in late September to cut red tape to accelerate the deployment of satellite services.
FCC chairman Julius Genachowski explained: “We’re proposing to modernise, streamline, or eliminate hundreds of rules or subsections governing satellite services. Among the changes, this notice includes a shift in the focus of the rules from a ‘tell us how you built it’ approach to a ‘tell us how you will avoid interference’ approach.”
The move was welcomed by the Washington-based Satellite Industry Association (SIA) trade body, whose members include US aerospace giants Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Loral Space & Communications.
SIA president Patricia Cooper said a sensible and up-to-date regulatory framework was vital for encouraging innovation and investment in the satellite sector.
“SIA and its members expect this NPRM to make applications easier to file for satellite stakeholders and also easier for the Commission staff to review,” said Cooper.
“We look forward to reviewing the proposals in detail and commit to being an active participant in the proceeding.”
According to SIA figures, the global satellite industry generated US$177bn in revenues in 2011, with an average annual growth rate of almost 11% over the past decade.
