Lawmakers Introduce the Bipartisan Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act. This legislation would: 

• Require the FCC to create rules to streamline procedures for granting initial licenses, renewals, and modifications for both geostationary satellite orbits (GSOs) and non-geostationary satellite orbits (NGSOs); 
• Establish a 1-year shot clock for the FCC to grant or deny license applications for GSOs and NGSOs; 
• Establish a 1-year shot clock for the FCC to grant or deny earth station license applications; 
• Establish a 180-day shot clock for the FCC to grant or deny a renewal of (1) GSO and NGSO licenses, (2) grants of market access, or (3) earth stations; 
• Allow the FCC to authorize emergency licenses for 180 days if needed for national security or defense purposes; 
• Establish a 30-day shot clock for the FCC to put an application out for public notice or notify the applicant if their application is incomplete; and, 
• Require the FCC to update its rules for interference protection and spectrum sharing every two years.