House Energy and Commerce leaders introduced bipartisan legislation to jump start investment and innovation in satellite communications. Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) commented on what they characterize as legislation to promote competition and American leadership in the thriving commercial satellite communications industry.
“America is leading the way in next-generation satellite technologies, which are contributing to a revolution in the communications marketplace. To make sure the U.S. — not China — continues to lead this global industry, we must streamline our regulatory processes to unleash innovation while also ensuring our laws fully protect the American public. We continue to encourage all interested parties to engage with us as we work to usher in a new era of investment and innovation in this critical sector.”
The Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act. (H.R. 946 3) and the Secure Space Act. (H.R. 9464) represent the first major Congressional effort to modernize the FCC satellite licensing rules in decades, according to the lawmakers. The bills clarify the agency’s authorities under the Communications Act, promote “responsible” use of space, protect national security, incentivize investment and innovation, and advance U.S. leadership in next-generation satellite communications networks.
FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington praised the effort, noting that Congress has recognized that, “we must act quickly to secure America’s role as the home to the most innovative new companies in the emerging launch and satellite sectors. There is an insatiable hunger for low-latency, high-bandwidth broadband connections in every corner of the U.S. that satellite broadband providers are racing to feed.”
Simington explained: “Innovative satellite companies now offer an unprecedented variety of services in optical surveying, precision agricultural support, and transport safety, with more companies, services and technologies emerging every day. We must therefore ensure that we do not delay U.S. leadership by allowing providers of these invaluable services to get bogged down in the regulatory process.”
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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