On July 17, 2025, the FCC released a discussion draft of a Report and Order (R&O) that, if adopted, would streamline processing of satellite and earth station applications and make other changes to satellite-related license requirements.  The Commission is scheduled to vote on the R&O – which may be subject to further modifications prior to the vote – at the Open FCC Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2025.  Below is a high-level summary of some key changes included in the draft R&O.

• New Flexibility in Adding Satellite Points of Communication.  The R&O creates a new type of earth station license ─ a “baseline license” ─ that would not require an earth station operator to specify satellite points of communication for the earth station in the initial application.  After receiving its baseline license, an operator could then flexibly add satellite points of communication (i.e., new satellites with which earth stations can communicate) as needed.  Notably, the R&O also would modify the process for adding a point of communication to allow for communications “immediately upon both filing notice . . . and pay[ing] the filing fee.”  This streamlined process means that the notice would be effective unless the FCC acted within 15 days after the filing fee is paid to review and remove the new point of communication. 
  • In addition to streamlining modifications for existing earth station licenses, this revision is intended to support the Ground-Station-as-a-Service (“GSaaS”) business model, whereby “a neutral host establishes connectivity to multiple satellite systems in space.”

Continue Reading FCC Releases Draft Report & Order Streamlining Satellite Licensing Processes