AIS Engineering and Encompass Government Solutions joined the Satellite Industry Association. AIS, based in Silver Spring, Md., specializes in satellite communications for voice, video and data networks, SIA said in a press release (http://xrl.us/bnte9o). Encompass, based in California, provides military sectors and government “with global teleport, satellite and terrestrial services,” including satellite and fiber solutions and fixed and mobile uplink services, SIA said.
FCC members approved a notice of proposed rulemaking aimed at streamlining and eliminating requirements for earth and space station licensing under Part 25 of the agency’s rules. The commission expects the changes to lead to faster deployment of satellite services to customers and easing regulatory burdens on licensees and the commission, staff said Friday at its monthly meeting. The NPRM proposed changes to more than 100 rule sections and subsections to give licensees the flexibility to provide innovative services “while ensuring an operating environment free from harmful interference,” an agency news release said.
The FCC has a “very solid record” for launching a rulemaking on a Next Generation Air-Ground Communications Service on a secondary licensed basis in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band, for offering broadband on commercial flights, Qualcomm said in reply comments filed at the FCC in docket RM-11640. Qualcomm filed technical papers earlier this year, making its case for the allocation, along with petition for rulemaking. In May, the International Bureau sought comment.
The FCC has a “very solid record” for launching a rulemaking on a Next Generation Air-Ground Communications Service on a secondary licensed basis in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band, for offering broadband on commercial flights, Qualcomm said in reply comments filed at the FCC in docket RM-11640. Qualcomm filed technical papers earlier this year, making its case for the allocation, along with petition for rulemaking. In May, the International Bureau sought comment.
he following individuals have been added to OFAC's SDN list:
The cities of Philadelphia and Boston and groups representing city governments pushed back against a petition from the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association, DirecTV and Dish Network that urges the FCC to amend its Over-The-Air-Reception Devices (OTARD) rule and prohibit state and local governments from restricting reception devices located on rental properties. Comments were due Thursday in docket 12-121.
Global satellite revenue grew 5 percent last year to about $177 billion, led by revenue increases in the satellite manufacturing and launch sectors, the Satellite Industry Association said in a report. While the rate of net job losses decreased from 2.7 percent in 2010 to less than 1 percent last year, employment in the industry continued to drop in the first three quarters of 2011. The State of the Satellite Industry Report (http://xrl.us/bm8ydw) was done by Futron Corp., SIA said. Futron surveyed more than 80 satellite companies and assessed performance in the satellite services, manufacturing, launch and ground equipment sectors.
Several comments to the FCC show overall support for the effort to expand wireless broadband by allowing terrestrial wireless use in the 2 GHz band, such as for Dish Network. Companies in the wireless, satellite and GPS industries agreed in their comments that technical rules and license conditions that apply to terrestrial services in the band should apply to the AWS-4 band, and a terrestrial license should be issued to the incumbent mobile satellite service licensee. Some wireless carriers and rural telecom entities urged the FCC to take further steps to ensure the eventual licensee serves all areas and to keep the market competitive. Comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking were due Thursday in docket 12-70, and some were filed early that day (CD May 18 p6).
XTAR joined the Satellite Industry Association, said the SIA.
An FCC requirement that filings at the agency include all materials cited in pleadings or ex parte submissions would encourage some to “eschew participation in an FCC rulemaking,” the Satellite Industry Association said in comments (http://xrl.us/bmpszh). The requirement could result in such a large volume of information that it could obscure the useful information, SIA added. The proposal isn’t consistent with legislative and executive branches’ efforts to reduce burdens on those wishing to take part in agency rulemakings, the association said. The obligation wouldn’t enhance transparency and may make it harder to find relevant filings or participate, SIA said. All other filings have opposed expanding filing rules, as the agency asked about in a public notice (CD Jan 25 p12).