SIA COMMENDS THE PRESIDENT’S PLAN TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE SPECTRUM STRATEGY THAT PROTECTS AMERICA’S SPACE AND SATELLITE INTERESTS

Washington, D.C., October 29, 2018 – The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today announced that it is commending the release of a Presidential Memorandum calling for the development of a long-term sustainable American spectrum plan.  In the Presidential Memo titled, “Developing a Sustainable Spectrum Strategy for America’s Future” the President called for policy recommendations that recognize the importance of sustaining a spectrum environment for critical space networks and the need to develop a Spectrum Strategy Task Force which will include representation of the National Space Council.

The Memorandum stated, “America’s national security depends on technological excellence and the United States Government must continue to have access to the spectrum resources needed to serve the national interest, from protecting the homeland and managing the national airspace, to forecasting severe weather and exploring the frontiers of space.”

The memo added that the U.S. Government should encourage investment and adoption of commercial, dual-use, or other advanced technologies, including 5G technologies while taking, “appropriate measures to sustain the radiofrequency environment in which critical United States infrastructure and space systems operate.”

“The Satellite Industry Association commends the Administration’s call for a national spectrum strategy that encourages the development of advanced new technologies such as terrestrial and satellite 5G, while recognizing the critical importance of space-based networks,” said Tom Stroup, President of the Satellite Industry Association.

“SIA is also pleased by the President’s mandate to ensure space industry interests are recognized by mandating representation of the National Space Council on the Spectrum Strategy Task Force.  SIA and its members look forward to working with the Task Force and the National Space Council as it consults with the FCC on future spectrum policy initiatives.”

A complete copy of the Presidential Memorandum may be found at the following link.

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; Maxar Technologies; Northrop Grumman Corporation; ; SES Americom, Inc.; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.; Spire Global Inc.; and Viasat, Inc.

SIA Associate Members include: ABS US Corp.;  Analytical Graphics, Inc.; Artel, LLC; Blue Origin; DataPath Inc.; Eutelsat America Corp.; ExoAnalytic Solutions; Globecomm; Glowlink Communications Technology, Inc.; HawkEye 360; Hughes; Inmarsat, Inc.; Kymeta Corporation; L3 Technologies; O3b Limited; Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Planet; Telesat Canada; TrustComm, Inc.; Ultisat, Inc.; and XTAR, LLC.

SIA Affiliate Members include: The Aerospace Corporation; COMSAT; ; RUAG Space; and Wiley Rein LLP