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
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FCC 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 StakeholdersFCC Launches ‘Space Month’ Agenda
Chairman Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently declared October 2025 as ‘Space Month’ at the FCC. As part of the FCC’s Build America Agenda, the FCC is scheduled to vote on two proposals aimed at modernizing the agency’s regulatory framework for space innovation in the country. These proposals represent another step
Continue Reading FCC Launches ‘Space Month’ AgendaFCC 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 Seeks Comment on Opening Up Spectrum for Satellite Broadband
Updated June 27, 2025. Originally posted May 28, 2025.
At an Open Meeting in May, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) that proposes to permit more intensive and efficient use of the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands by satellite communications, either as an alternative or complement to terrestrial wireless. Chairman Carr emphasized that, if adopted, the Proposed Rule would make 20,000 megahertz of spectrum available for satellite-based services, which Chairman Carr characterized as a necessary step for U.S. leadership in spectrum and a clear sign to China. Carr stated that the additional spectrum, in conjunction with other actions the FCC is taking across multiple spectrum bands, would protect American technological leadership. Comments may be filed on or before July 28, 2025, and reply comments may be filed on or before August 26, 2025, as set forth in today’s Federal Register.
The FNPRM builds upon the FCC’s recent requests for comments on providing increased access to spectrum for terrestrial wireless services. This FNPRM expands upon that record to contemplate authorizing satellite communications in the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands and seeks comment on the feasibility of allowing satellite communications in those bands in both the Earth-to-space and space-to-Earth directions.
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