The Connect Everyone Coalition is encouraged by the agency’s continued commitment to breaking down barriers that risk holding innovative connectivity technologies back.

The Connect Everyone Coalition (CEC) applauds today’s major step by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to replace outdated equivalent power flux density (EPFD) regulations with modern, performance-based protection criteria and a good-faith coordination framework.

The FCC’s introduction and consideration of a Report and Order to modernize spectrum sharing for satellite broadband will strengthen America’s edge in space and enable faster broadband speeds, lower costs and greater reliability for consumers everywhere.

The EPFD limits were designed decades ago to protect the geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems of the 1990s from harmfully interfering with one another. Approximately 30 years later, this old framework threatened to bottleneck 21^st-century space-based innovations and hinder satellites from accessing the higher power levels they need to expand their capacity. Modern satellites, particularly the growing constellations of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, are more adaptive to mitigate interference and should not be constrained by outdated rules. It is vital to rapidly scale up consumers’ LEO broadband options in order to finally close the digital divide and connect everyone, everywhere.

“We’re encouraged by the FCC’s decision today. Modern technologies require modern regulations. A good-faith coordination framework is an innovative next step to secure American progress and leadership both on Earth and in space,” says CEC Executive Director Richard Cullen. “By modernizing spectrum sharing, the FCC can now adopt regulations that strengthen Americans’ access to fast, affordable broadband options and accelerate U.S. leadership in space. We applaud Chairman Carr and the Commissioners for their leadership on this issue.”

“We applaud the Commission for adopting this far more efficient satellite spectrum sharing framework premised on good faith coordination and protections against actual, and not theoretical, interference,” says Michael Calabrese, Director of New America’s Wireless Future Program and CEC Board Member. “The FCC’s sharing approach will yield enormous increases in satellite downlink capacity for consumer broadband, as well as for enterprise connectivity and innovation. The FCC’s adoption of this modernized GSO/NGSO sharing framework will also give the U.S. delegation to next year’s World Radiocommunications Conference in Shanghai the evidence of success they need to build global support for making this far more efficient framework the basis for international rules that facilitate continued low-Earth orbit (LEO) expansion and innovation.”

The modernization of spectrum sharing continues the FCC’s focus on modernizing space policy to suit the 21^st century, cutting red tape and removing overly restrictive bureaucracy. It is estimated that spectrum sharing will also contribute nearly $2 billion in economic benefits as a result of increased satellite capacity. This increase in capacity will increase industry competition and reduce costs for consumers.

About the Connect Everyone Coalition

The Connect Everyone Coalition is a broad-based coalition of nearly 120 leaders and organizations committed to educating the public and policymakers on the importance of using every tool in our connectivity toolbox to provide fast, affordable broadband access to everyone, everywhere.

The coalition supports an innovative, tech-neutral approach to expanding broadband access that takes full advantage of new technologies and connectivity options, including advances in LEO satellite broadband. We showcase the transformative power of LEO satellites’ ability to connect anyone, anywhere, and we support updating broadband strategies and modernizing space policy so unserved and underserved communities across our nation and world can fully benefit from this game-changing new option. Learn more about the Connect Everyone Coalition HERE.