Steve Mehs
04-24-03, 02:18 AM
On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a new process for licensing satellite services, including a controversial bond requirement for new satellite licensees.
Under the new requirements, licensees must post a $5 million to $7.5 million bond within 30 days after receiving FCC authorization for their satellite-based service. The bond is payable upon revocation of a license for missing milestones associated with the construction and launch of satellites and use of orbital locations.
The FCC rules also mandate a "first-come, first-served" licensing scheme for geostationary satellites, in which applications for specific spectrum and orbit locations will be considered in the order they are filed at the commission.
The new procedures do not apply to DBS or satellite radio services.
Despite resistance from commercial satellite operators on the new licensing rules, FCC members supported the changes. Commissioners said the new process will facilitate faster deployment of consumer services, including broadband.
Said FCC Chairman Michael Powell, "The imperatives of the broadband marketplace require that innovative services and applications blossom quickly or lose out to more robust competitors. Unfortunately under the existing licensing regime, the bloom of satellite innovation too often has been lost to the frost of delay."
From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com) (Used with Permission)
Under the new requirements, licensees must post a $5 million to $7.5 million bond within 30 days after receiving FCC authorization for their satellite-based service. The bond is payable upon revocation of a license for missing milestones associated with the construction and launch of satellites and use of orbital locations.
The FCC rules also mandate a "first-come, first-served" licensing scheme for geostationary satellites, in which applications for specific spectrum and orbit locations will be considered in the order they are filed at the commission.
The new procedures do not apply to DBS or satellite radio services.
Despite resistance from commercial satellite operators on the new licensing rules, FCC members supported the changes. Commissioners said the new process will facilitate faster deployment of consumer services, including broadband.
Said FCC Chairman Michael Powell, "The imperatives of the broadband marketplace require that innovative services and applications blossom quickly or lose out to more robust competitors. Unfortunately under the existing licensing regime, the bloom of satellite innovation too often has been lost to the frost of delay."
From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com) (Used with Permission)