Today, the FCC announced a new streamlined satellite application process, something that is sure to help SpaceX and Amazon’s new home internet service.
The FCC says these new rules are needed to meet the growing needs of today’s commercial space sector. It also hopes to help speed up the thousands of requests from companies like Amazon and SpaceX, who are looking to build worldwide networks of satellites to offer high-speed internet.
“The new rules take concrete steps to expedite the initial processing of applications for authority to operate space and earth stations under part 25 of the Commission’s rules. Today’s Report and Order establishes timeframes for placing space and earth station applications on notice for public comment, permits applicants to apply for authority to operate in frequencies in bands where there is not already an international allocation for the satellite services to be provided, provides flexibility for non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) licensees to have more than one unbuilt system without facing potential dismissal of their applications, and streamlines processing of earth station operators’ requests to add space stations as points of communication. ” The FCC said in a statement sent to Cord Cutters News.
The FCC says it will also continue to take public comment on proposals to further improve its processing of space and earth station applications.
To help speed up the process of approving satellite applications, the agency established its new Space Bureau, increased the number of staff working on satellite applications, created new opportunities for competition in the delivery of satellite broadband services, and modernized spectrum policy to better meet the needs of the next generation Space Age.
This news comes just as Amazon is getting ready to start to launch its home internet service. To do this, it hopes to get approval for thousands of satellites it wants to start putting up in space next year. A faster process will help it go live sooner to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink service.