Satellite Industry Association Applauds Signing of the Infrastructure Bill & Broadband Provisions While Calling for Technology Neutrality for all Networks

Washington, D.C., November 15, 2021 – The Satellite Industry Association today applauded President Biden’s signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the legislation’s broadband connectivity provisions intended to help ensure that every American has access to reliable broadband internet connectivity. SIA also called for funding of all broadband networks to be done on a technology neutral basis.

According to the White House, more than 30 million Americans live in areas where there is no broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural and remote communities. The newly passed legislation will deliver $65 billion to help bridge the digital divide and ensure that every American has access to reliable high-speed internet through a historic investment in broadband infrastructure deployment.

“SIA and its members strongly support the goal of connecting unserved and underserved Americans with reliable broadband connectivity and we applaud the broadband connectivity provisions in the newly signed Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal,” said Tom Stroup, president of the Satellite Industry Association. “The most efficient and cost-effective way to achieve this goal in the shortest amount of time is to use all available technologies including innovative satellite services to deliver competitive and affordable broadband solutions.”

Mr. Stroup added, “The U.S. satellite industry is a world leader in innovation bringing new and affordable high-speed broadband services to consumers. The industry provides these services through both geostationary and non-geostationary satellites. Because of the ubiquitous nature of satellite coverage, these networks are able to reach users in remote rural and unserved regions of the country. The presence of satellite services also means increased competition which results in lower costs and more choices in the U.S. marketplace for broadband services.

“Therefore, when infrastructure funding is allocated, it is vital to adopt an approach that is technology neutral and includes all services for funding, including geostationary and non-geostationary satellite services as well as hybrid networks. Neglecting to do so will deprive unserved and underserved consumers of affordable and reliable broadband services and lead to the ultimate failure of bridging the digital divide for all Americans.”

About The Satellite Industry Association

SIA is a U.S.-based trade association providing representation of the leading satellite operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers. For more than two decades, SIA has advocated on behalf of the U.S. satellite industry on policy, regulatory, and legislative issues affecting the satellite business. For more information, visit www.sia.org.

SIA Executive Members include: Amazon; The Boeing Company; DIRECTV; EchoStar Corporation; HawkEye 360; Intelsat S.A.; Iridium Communications Inc.; Kratos Defense & Security Solutions; Ligado Networks; Lockheed Martin Corporation; OneWeb; Planet; SES Americom, Inc.; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.; Spire Global Inc.; and Viasat Inc. SIA Associate Members include: ABS US Corp.; Amazon Web Services; Artel, LLC; AST & Science; Astranis Space Technologies Corp.; Blue Origin; Eutelsat America Corp.; ExoAnalytic Solutions; Hughes; Inmarsat, Inc.; Kymeta Corporation; Leonardo DRS; Lynk; Omnispace; OneWeb Technologies; Ovzon; Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Peraton; SpaceLink; Telesat Canada; ULA; UltiSat and XTAR, LLC. SIA Affiliate Members include: The Aerospace Corporation; ARA; Aurora Insight; COMSAT; Davis Wright Tremaine; Envistacom, LLC; Genus Group; Hogan Lovells; Integrasys LLC, Kaman Precision Products; Kencast; Keysight Technologies, Inc.; Media Broadcast Satellite; Orange Business Services; Plexus Corp; Sheppard Mullin; Skylo Technologies and Wiley