FCC Paves the Way for More Satellite Broadband Deployment

Yesterday, the FCC adopted a Report and Order to modernize rules facilitating deployment of next-generation satellite systems. In a June 2017 Perspectives from FSF Scholars entitled “The Problem with Municipal Broadband and Solutions for Promoting Private Investment,” Ted Bolema and I discussed how satellite broadband is an emerging technology that could be a viable solution to closing the gap of the digital divide. Satellite broadband is accessible to 99.1% of Americans at 10Mbps down and 1 Mbps up, but innovation has enabled consumers to access speeds of 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up. By simplifying regulatory approval processes and relaxing requirements for antenna pointing and frequency-band usage, this Report and Order will allow satellite broadband providers to experiment with consumer-friendly innovations and deliver high-speed broadband access to rural Americans.