Arlington, VA-As part of an Open Meeting on April 30th, the Federal Communications Commission will decide whether to replace outdated transmission power limits for satellite communications. The limit framework was designed in the 1990’s to safeguard legacy satellite systems against interference from more modern satellites. However, technology has advanced as the rules became outmoded, hobbling service speeds and quality.
American Consumer Institute Director of Technology Policy, Logan Kolas, states:
“The American Consumer Institute commends the Federal Communications Commission for considering new and different rules for satellite broadband that reflect the new, innovative technologies of the 21st century. ACI first warned of America’s “antiquated” regulations on satellite system power in 2024, cautioning that government rules designed for a bygone era of broadband technology created worse broadband service with more delays. The FCC deserves credit for its efforts to make more quality broadband choices available to consumers at prices they can afford.”
The FCC should move to unleash satellite communication service. That decision will have an outsized, positive impact on consumers in remote areas where it is economically difficult to build physical communications infrastructure. The updated rules would be a welcome decision that is long overdue.
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