FCC Facilitates Use of Satellite Earth Stations in Motion

The Federal Communications Commission streamlined, consolidated, and harmonized the rules governing earth stations used to provide satellite-based services on ships, airplanes, and vehicles. These actions simplify the regulatory approval process for this rapidly-growing segment of the satellite communications market. Currently, the regulation of these earth stations that communicate with geostationary satellite orbit (GSO) satellites operating in the fixed-satellite service (FSS), and are collectively known as “ESIMs,” varies depending on the type of vehicle they are attached to and are covered in various rule provisions. This Report and Order integrates the three types of earth stations in motion into a single regulatory category, reducing the burden on applicants leading to a more efficient licensing process. The decision also gives increased flexibility to ESIMs to operate in the “conventional Ka- frequency band,” facilitating the delivery of satellite-based high-speed services. The Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on expanding the frequencies available to ESIMs communicating with GSO FSS satellite networks to allow additional flexibility to satellite operators.