Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
FCC to Modernize Satellite Power Regulations
TAMPA, Fla. — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to revise its decades-old regulations on satellite power limits, signaling a move to modernize and streamline existing rules. This initiative, aimed at fostering innovation in the space sector, was announced on April 7 by the head of the agency’s space division.
Review of Ka and Ku Band Rules
Jay Schwarz, Chief of the FCC Space Bureau, speaking at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, highlighted a recent public notice indicating a review of current regulations governing Ka and Ku band satellite frequencies. This review is part of a broader effort to update rules that may be outdated.
Reassessing EPFD Limits
Schwarz noted that the existing rules, especially those concerning Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD), were established 30 years ago. EPFD caps are crucial as they dictate the permissible signal strength for non-geostationary (NGSO) satellites to prevent interference with satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GSO). The FCC has tentatively scheduled a vote for its upcoming open meeting on April 28 to discuss the spectrum sharing framework between NGSO and GSO operators.
“This is anticipated to be a technically intricate process,” Schwarz stated. “Robust technical analysis will be essential to ensure that we achieve our objective: providing excellent broadband services for all Americans, particularly in underserved rural communities.”
Key Discussion Points
The proposal to re-evaluate EPFD limits was a contentious topic at the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), a major international forum held every four years to update global spectrum regulations. Although international regulators reached a compromise that permitted technical studies on EPFD, no immediate regulatory changes were mandated.
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GSO operators, including Viasat, interpret this compromise as postponing any regulatory updates to EPFD limits until the next WRC in 2031, convened by the International Telecommunication Union, a United Nations agency.
Conversely, NGSO operators, such as SpaceX, maintain that the agreement allows for alternative approaches to examine and potentially amend these limits. NGSO operators advocate for adjustments to these caps to encourage greater operational flexibility and foster innovation. GSO operators, however, caution that such modifications could jeopardize essential investments needed to develop existing systems within their market segment.
SpaceX Petition and NPRM
Specifically, the FCC is scheduled to vote on a petition from SpaceX to initiate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). This NPRM aims to examine spectrum sharing between GSO and NGSO operators within the 10.7-12.7, 17.3-18.6, and 19.7-20.2 gigahertz frequency bands.
The proposed NPRM also seeks to:
- Seek input on how advancements in satellite technology affect EPFD limits, assess the efficacy of current protective measures for GSO networks, and explore whether alternative sharing mechanisms could enhance efficiency.
- Gather feedback on appropriate short-term and long-term protection standards for GSO networks, as well as the reference links needed for compliance assessment.
- Investigate methods to improve spectrum sharing through enhanced communication between GSO and NGSO operators, address cumulative interference issues, and ensure ongoing protection for co-frequency terrestrial stations.
Evolving Regulatory Philosophy
Schwarz, who assumed leadership of the Space Bureau on February 4, succeeding Julie Kearney, emphasized the division’s ongoing commitment to simplifying licensing processes and spectrum access.
“Our existing licensing framework operates as a traditional gatekeeper system,” he told the conference. “This system was initially designed for a different industry landscape and is no longer optimally suited for today’s dynamic space industry.”
Schwarz outlined the FCC’s intention to transition “from a gatekeeping approach to one that prioritizes permission,” drawing parallels with other deregulated U.S. sectors, such as trucking, which experienced significant growth following deregulation in the 1980s.
He further elaborated, “Considerable evidence suggests that reducing regulatory barriers can lead to substantial advancements in industries with competitive potential.”
Streamlining Licensing Procedures
While Schwarz did not provide specific details, he indicated that these initiatives include the reduction of indirect barriers to entry, such as protracted and resource-intensive application procedures.
“At the FCC, our vision extends beyond incremental improvements to our licensing system,” he stated. “We aim for transformative enhancements, not just 15% better, but 500% better. Achieving such progress requires a smarter approach… fundamentally rethinking our current paradigms.”