TPA Praises FCC for Satellite Approval Decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kara Zupkus (224) 456-0257

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for approving Amazon’s request to deploy 4,500 satellites. Amazon’s stated goal is to kickstart its satellite internet service (called “Leo”) later in 2026. The approval makes this goal feasible by expanding the size of Amazon’s planned constellation of low Earth orbit satellites to approximately 7,700 satellites.

In response to the FCC’s approval decision, David Williams, President of TPA, offered the following comment:

“The FCC’s decision is an exciting milestone in the race toward global broadband access. The green light underscores the competitiveness and innovation unfolding in the satellite internet market, signaling a new era with more options and lower costs for consumers. The rise of Leo and other satellite internet services also demonstrate that government-owned networks funded by taxpayers are increasingly unnecessary. Millions of Americans will benefit from this regulatory decision.

“By dramatically increasing its network capacity, Amazon is positioning itself to serve a broad range of communities, including rural and underserved areas that have long faced limited or prohibitively expensive connectivity options. Greater competition with established players is good news for consumers because it drives innovation, expands coverage, and helps keep prices in check. Contrary to the European Union Space Act, which proposes excessive and unnecessary regulations to limit satellite competition, the FCC is embracing open competition. Hopefully, the FCC will apply a similar light-touch approach to other satellite applications in the future.

“This expansion will benefit taxpayers, households, businesses, and remote communities by creating more choice and affordability in high-speed internet access. The FCC deserves praise for helping to close the digital divide.” 

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The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis, and dissemination of information on the government’s impact on the economy.