On October 22, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) announced its first enforcement action under new rules that prohibit FCC authorization of certain devices incorporating “logic-bearing hardware components” produced by entities identified on the FCC’s Covered List. The rules took effect less than two weeks earlier on October 13, with the prompt action signaling the
Continue Reading FCC Takes First Covered List Enforcement Action Under New Ban on Devices Incorporating Prohibited “Logic-Bearing Hardware Components”
FCC Poised to Overhaul International Section 214 Rules
On October 8, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a circulation draft of a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Draft Order” and “FNPRM,” respectively) that, if adopted as expected, would substantially overhaul the regulatory framework for international Section 214 authorizations (i.e., authority to provide telecommunications services between the
Continue Reading FCC Poised to Overhaul International Section 214 RulesFCC Proposes to Streamline Supplemental Coverage from Space and Direct-to-Device Rules
On October 8, 2026, the FCC released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at modernizing the FCC’s Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) rules and facilitating direct-to-device (D2D) services. The draft has been circulated for consideration at the FCC’s October 29, 2026 Open Meeting and remains subject to change.
The SCS rules, first adopted
Continue Reading FCC Proposes to Streamline Supplemental Coverage from Space and Direct-to-Device RulesFCC Proposes to Auction Spectrum for Terrestrial and Space-Based Broadband Services
On October 8, 2026, the FCC released a draft Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) proposing to reallocate and auction the 1675–1695 MHz and 2020–2025 MHz bands for flexible commercial use. The draft, which has been circulated for consideration at the FCC’s October 29, 2026 Open Meeting and remains subject to change, proposes rules that
Continue Reading FCC Proposes to Auction Spectrum for Terrestrial and Space-Based Broadband ServicesFCC Seeks Public Comment on Improving Spectrum Access for Commercial Space Launch and Reentry Operations
Earlier this week, on August 25, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued a Public Notice seeking public comment on how the agency might increase and improve spectrum access for commercial space launch and reentry activities. The Public Notice follows through on a directive in the Trump Administration’s National Space Transportation Policy memorandum issued last week. Comments are due Monday, September 14, 2026 and reply comments are due Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Continue Reading FCC Seeks Public Comment on Improving Spectrum Access for Commercial Space Launch and Reentry OperationsFCC Narrows Covered List Definition of “Power Inverters” and Clarifies Meaning of “Foreign-Produced”
Yesterday, following a second National Security Determination from the Department of War (“DoW”), the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) clarified the scope of its ban on foreign-produced “power inverters,” a category of devices added to the FCC’s “Covered List” in late July. This new determination revises and narrows the definition of power inverters to more
Continue Reading FCC Narrows Covered List Definition of “Power Inverters” and Clarifies Meaning of “Foreign-Produced”California Reopens Opt-Out Period for Certain Interconnected VoIP Licenses and Refines Associated Regulatory Framework
Today, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) issued a decision revising and clarifying its regulatory framework for providers of interconnected voice over Internet protocol (“iVoIP”) services. Most notably, the decision reopens the window for iVoIP providers to demonstrate that they do not provide services subject to a new license type that would, among other things
Continue Reading California Reopens Opt-Out Period for Certain Interconnected VoIP Licenses and Refines Associated Regulatory FrameworkFCC Releases Draft Report & Order Streamlining Satellite Licensing Processes
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.”
FCC Proposes Changes to Foreign Ownership Rules and Related Filings Processes
Updated June 24, 2025. Originally posted April 30, 2025.
In April, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) that proposes to clarify existing definitions in the FCC’s foreign ownership rules and codify certain practices regarding the filing requirements for, and the agency’s processing of, foreign ownership petitions (Petitions
Continue Reading FCC Proposes Changes to Foreign Ownership Rules and Related Filings ProcessesNTIA Seeks Comment on Potential Effects of Satellite Direct-to-Device Operations in the L-band on GPS L1 Signal
On December 27, 2024, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a Request for Comment (“RFC”)that seeks public input on the potential impacts on the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) L1 signal by the growth of satellite-based direct-to-device (D2D) operations that use frequencies between 1610-1660.5 MHz (the “L-band”). As the lead spectrum advisor to the Executive Branch on spectrum issues, NTIA serves as the advocate for other agencies including the Department of Transportation (DOT) before the FCC. NTIA issued its Request for Comment (RFC) in response to analysis prepared by DOT and states that its interest in D2D usage stems from the increasing deployment of services in which mobile devices like smartphones and Internet of Things (IoT) devices connect directly to satellite systems in the L-band, a portion of which is located near spectrum allocated to GPS. NTIA invited comments to be filed by February 10, 2025.
Continue Reading NTIA Seeks Comment on Potential Effects of Satellite Direct-to-Device Operations in the L-band on GPS L1 Signal