FCC Proposes to Streamline Rules for Earth Stations in Motion

The Federal Communications Commission took steps to streamline, consolidate, and harmonize rules governing earth stations used to provide satellite-based services on ships, airplanes and vehicles. The action proposes additional flexibity for this fast growing segment of the satellite communications market. Currently, the regulation of these earth stations, collectively known as “earth stations in motion” (ESIMs), varies depending on the type of vehicle to which they are attached and are covered in various rule provisions. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted today, proposes to integrate the three types of earth stations in motion into a single regulatory category. The proposal also proposes rules to allow for blanket licensing in additional frequency bands—the “conventional Ka-band”— which will offer additional flexibity to ESIMs. Together, these proposed changes would simplify the regulatory approval process for ESIMs, reduce the burden on applicants and increase efficiency in processing applications.