Watchdog Urges Satellite Licensing Reforms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kara Zupkus (224) 456-0257

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology is marking up H.R. 8255, the Satellite and Telecommunications (SAT) Streamlining Act. Sponsored by Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), this legislation would amend the Communications Act of 1934 to modernize the FCC’s outdated satellite licensing rules. HR. 8255 was proposed in response to large-scale delays and regulatory uncertainty holding back satellite deployment.

Ross Marchand, Executive Director of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, offered the following statement:

“Far too many Americans lack internet access, and innovative technologies such as satellites can help bridge the digital divide. But, as usual, bureaucracy has gotten in the way. Companies must often wait years for approval to deploy satellites, and regulatory hurdles are especially daunting for small businesses. Commonsense reforms, such as establishing a one-year shot clock for the Federal Communications Commission to grant or deny geostationary satellite (GSO), non-geostationary satellite (NGSO), and earth station applications, will help increase connectivity and lower costs.

“In addition to establishing a one-year shot clock for applications, the landmark legislation would force the FCC to cut back on red tape around licenses, renewals, and modifications, paving the way for greater deployment and lower costs. The FCC would also no longer be able to use extensions to indefinitely delay promising new projects. H.R. 8255 limits FCC extensions of covered application and request deadlines to no more than two 90-day extensions, and requires the agency to publicly justify the additional delay. This long-overdue reform reduces uncertainty and ensures that delays are kept to a minimum.

“TPA urges the Subcommittee to advance this pivotal piece of legislation. Streamlining satellite licensing will reduce the need for costly taxpayer-funded broadband networks and mean faster and more reliable internet for millions of Americans. It’s time for a new approach to bridge the digital divide.

###

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.