This bill adds a new section to the Communications Act that sets deadlines and procedures for FCC decisions on radiofrequency licenses and authorizations for satellite systems and earth stations. It covers non‑geostationary orbit (NGSO) and geostationary orbit (GSO) space stations, blanket‑licensed earth stations, individual earth stations, and market access requests. The bill requires the FCC to adopt rules within 12 months, sets time limits for application review (for example, generally 1 year for licenses and market access; 30 days for certain receive‑only earth stations; 90 days for many minor modifications; and 180 days for renewals), and allows some emergency short‑term grants. It also includes a “deemed granted” rule: if the FCC misses statutory deadlines, the application or request can be treated as granted after the applicant notifies the FCC of the missed deadline.
The bill limits the information the FCC may require from applicants to what is strictly necessary, creates procedures for determining application completeness, allows limited tolling of deadlines only for specific reasons and with notice to Congress, and sets initial license and market access terms of up to 15 years. It requires referral to the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector for applications with reportable foreign ownership for national security and law enforcement review. The bill also prevents states or local governments from regulating the rates charged by covered satellite operators or applicants, while allowing regulation of other terms and conditions.
No publicly available information.
The bill states goals of speeding decisions, promoting competition and innovation, and encouraging efficient use of spectrum. It calls for clear deadlines, limited information requests, and streamlined procedures for routine modifications and replacements so licensees can operate and upgrade systems more quickly.
No publicly available information.