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 Operations
FCC Approves Massive Modernization of Satellite Licensing Regime
On July 22, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) voted to approve a Report and Order (the “Order”) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (the “FNPRM”) that will rework and modernize the FCC’s satellite licensing regime. Stating that “[a]chieving American space superiority is critical to our nation’s future,” the Order streamlines the FCC’s satellite
Continue Reading FCC Approves Massive Modernization of Satellite Licensing RegimeFCC to Vote on Unlocking Spectrum for Direct-to-Device Operation for Unlicensed Equipment
On July 16, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) seeking comment on proposals to permit direct-to-device (“D2D”) operations from satellites to unlicensed equipment. Currently, D2D devices that communicate with satellites would need to be licensed in one form or another. The NPRM sets out the following bands
Continue Reading FCC to Vote on Unlocking Spectrum for Direct-to-Device Operation for Unlicensed EquipmentSupreme Court Upholds FCC Authority to Levy Fines Against Cellphone Carriers
In an 8-1 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the FCC’s authority to issue forfeiture penalties against telecommunications companies found in violation of the agency’s Customer Proprietary Network Information (“CPNI”) rules. The impact of this ruling is that the FCC may continue to enforce its rules through forfeiture orders, but that such orders do not
Continue Reading Supreme Court Upholds FCC Authority to Levy Fines Against Cellphone CarriersFCC Poised to Adopt Proposal Modernizing Spectrum Sharing to Promote Satellite Broadband
On April 9, 2026, the FCC released a draft Report and Order on “Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband.” The draft has been circulated for consideration by the FCC at its April 30, 2026 open meeting, and remains subject to change.
If adopted as expected by the Commission at its next monthly meeting, the Order
Continue Reading FCC Poised to Adopt Proposal Modernizing Spectrum Sharing to Promote Satellite BroadbandFCC Proposes New Framework for Spectrum Use in Emerging Space Missions
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr recently previewed a new Commission initiative aimed at bringing “spectrum abundance” to what he described as “weird space stuff,” a category encompassing emerging space operations such as orbital laboratories, satellite repairs, and private inhabitable spacecraft. The proposal would initiate a formal rulemaking later this month to examine how the FCC’s spectrum
Continue Reading FCC Proposes New Framework for Spectrum Use in Emerging Space MissionsFCC Opens Inquiry into Sports Broadcasting Practices and Marketplace Developments
The Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC” or “Commission”) Media Bureau has launched a new Public Notice (the “Notice”) seeking public comment on sports broadcasting practices and recent marketplace developments, as the distribution of live sports programming continues to evolve across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.
For decades, live sports have been closely intertwined with broadcast television
Continue Reading FCC Opens Inquiry into Sports Broadcasting Practices and Marketplace DevelopmentsFCC Seeks Comment on Petition to Update Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Part 15 Rules
As consumers have embraced “smart home” technology and specifically advanced locks and entryway security systems, some door lock companies have asked permission from the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) to use ultra-wideband technology (“UWB”) in their devices. UWB technology has unique characteristics that can be used to enhance entryway security systems by working with low-power Bluetooth
Continue Reading FCC Seeks Comment on Petition to Update Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Part 15 RulesFCC Proposes Overhaul of Upper Microwave Spectrum Rules
In a recently published Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the FCC has proposed a major overhaul of the rules governing use of the Upper Microwave Spectrum. The notice proposes rules designed to encourage more intensive use in the bands collectively known as the Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (UMFUS) bands, which are jointly shared by
Continue Reading FCC Proposes Overhaul of Upper Microwave Spectrum RulesFCC Proposes “Space Modernization for the 21st Century”: Key Highlights for Industry and Stakeholders
As part of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s “Space Month” initiative, the FCC has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) designed to overhaul the existing framework for space and earth station licensing. The FCC’s stated goal is to create the “friendliest regulatory environment in the world” for the space industry.
The proposed framework would
Continue Reading FCC Proposes “Space Modernization for the 21st Century”: Key Highlights for Industry and Stakeholders