The Satellite Industry Association Strongly Applauds Department of Commerce Spectrum Policy Recommendations

Washington, D.C., March 26, 2019 –The Satellite Industry Association today strongly applauded the release of a U.S. Department of Commerce (Dept. of Commerce) Report titled, “Driving Space Commerce Through Effective Spectrum Policy”.  The report was developed collaboratively with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the National Space Council, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, as well as other Federal entities.

The report includes numerous recommendations for improving the U.S. satellite industry and overall space sector through effective spectrum policies and regulations and the coordination of U.S. activities at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and other Multi-national forums such as the upcoming 2019 World Radiocommunications Congress (WRC-19).

The report recognizes that a healthy commercial satellite industry, equipped with sufficient access to radio frequency spectrum, is essential to the global competitiveness of the United States space sector.

The report made a number of specific spectrum-related and satellite industry spectrum policy recommendations including the following:

• Allocate and assign radio frequencies domestically in a manner that recognizes satellite operations are essential for space commerce innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth.
• Spectrum policy must balance in future allocations the rising demand for service with the availability of new technologies that significantly enhance spectral efficiency.
• Support global harmonization of the radio frequency spectrum for space activities.
• Protect space operations from harmful radio frequency interference.
• Support appropriate policies that can help speed the delivery of satellite broadband solutions to global markets in both served and underserved areas.
• Work with like-minded countries to improve the space-related activities and processes of the International Telecommunication Union and other multilateral organizations.
• Develop a robust process for periodic stakeholder input.
• Assess spectrum demand for space operation and report on efforts to meet it.

The report noted that “spectrum is limited and the ability to access spectrum is critical to many important commercial, personal, government, and scientific applications.  As a relevant example, access to spectrum for space commerce at times competes with access for terrestrial wireless services including emerging 5G communications.”

The report also noted “The Department of Commerce and NTIA recognize that ‘the world as we know it today literally would not exist without satellites.’  In that vein, the world of tomorrow will likely depend on a stable spectrum environment that appropriately protects vital satellite operations from harmful interference and supports U.S. goals in the global spectrum policy arena.”

“SIA strongly applauds the Dept. of Commerce, NTIA, OSTP and the National Space Council on the release of today’s report which recognizes the critical importance of the commercial satellite industry and the need to provide the industry with adequate access to sufficient radio spectrum,” said Tom Stroup, President of SIA.  “The commercial satellite industry is going through a remarkable industry transformation.

Thanks to tremendous industry leadership and innovation, today’s space industry is growing at a tremendous rate.  The Dept. of Commerce report estimates that the global space economy may exceed $1.1 trillion by 2040.  SIA and its members look forward to working with all the authors of this report and the FCC to ensure and protect America’s continued leadership role in that future space economy.”

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: AT&T Services, Inc.; The Boeing Company; EchoStar Corporation; Intelsat S.A.; Iridium Communications Inc.; Kratos Defense & Security Solutions; Ligado Networks; Lockheed Martin Corporation; ; SES Americom, Inc.; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.; Spire Global Inc.; and Viasat, Inc.

SIA Associate Members include: ABS US Corp.;  Airbus Defense and Space, Inc.; Analytical Graphics, Inc.; Artel, LLC; Blue Origin; DataPath Inc.; Eutelsat America Corp.; ExoAnalytic Solutions; Globalstar, Inc.; Glowlink Communications Technology, Inc.; HawkEye 360; Hughes; Inmarsat, Inc.; Kymeta Corporation; Leonardo DRS; Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Peraton; Planet; SSL; Telesat Canada; Ultisat, Inc.; and XTAR, LLC.

SIA Affiliate Members include: The Aerospace Corporation; AQYR Technologies; COMSAT; Envistacom, LLC; Integrasys LLC, Kencast; Newtec; ; RUAG Space; Sheppard Mullin; and Wiley Rein LLP