FCC Grants Market Access for Kinéis Low-Earth Orbit Satellites

The Federal Communications Commission granted a petition from French satellite company Kinéis to offer satellite services in the US market. As detailed in the company’s application, the proposed constellation of 25 small, low-Earth orbit satellites would provide connectivity for Internet of Things devices, as well as enhancements to maritime domain awareness through monitoring of maritime communication. Kinéis petitioned the FCC for access to the US market using frequencies of the non-voice, non-geostationary (NVNG) mobile-satellite service (MSS) and earth exploration-satellite service (EESS) through a constellation of satellites that will be authorized by France. Adoption of this Order and Declaratory Ruling will facilitate Kinéis’s efforts to develop a satellite system to provide connectivity for IoT devices. It also grants Kinéis market access in the 399.9-400.05 MHz and 401-403 MHz uplink bands, and the 400.15 401 MHz downlink band.  Five of Kinéis’s satellites will actively monitor certain signals in the 156.7625-162.0375 MHz band transmitted by stations in the maritime service.