Cruz, Welch Refile Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., on Wednesday refiled the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act to revamp the FCC’s licensing processes. The bill would set a one-year deadline for the FCC to fully evaluate a satellite license application. It would also direct the FCC to issue performance requirements for satellite licensees to meet on space safety and orbital debris, as well as cap the length of foreign satellite systems’ U.S. licenses at 15 years. The House failed to pass a previous version of the measure during the last Congress amid a jurisdictional fight between the House Commerce and Science committees (see 2307260037).
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“Innovative companies that want to expand access to high-speed Internet for Americans face an outdated regulatory process, leading to massive delays in the deployment of new satellite technologies,” Cruz said. The SAT Streamlining Act would “create a clear, standardized FCC review process to prevent unnecessary delays, keep commercial satellite operators under the U.S. flag, and accelerate high-speed internet deployment to unserved communities. America must lead the way on satellite deployment in space.”
“Unlocking the full potential of America’s satellite industry is a major part of connecting more rural communities to high-speed internet,” Welch added. “That’s why it’s crucial to reduce red tape that hinders the development of new satellite technology.”
Cruz’s office cited support from Amazon, SpaceX, the Aerospace Industry Association, AST Space Mobile, the Commercial Space Federation and the Computer & Communications Industry Association.