Letter to FCC: Update Spectrum for Internet from LEO Space

By Rebecca Grant: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is an economic hot spot.  Constellations of thousands of satellites can offer high-speed, low-latency broadband internet connectivity to urban and rural communities around the globe.  The LEO boom continues with 28 Starlink satellites launched Sep. 21 and Amazon’s new competitor Kuiper set to add 27 satellites Sep. 25. 

One problem: spectrum-sharing rules dating from the 1990s were put in place long before lower launch costs paved the way for mega-constellations in LEO.  The rules set out equivalent power-flux density parameters that now inhibit efficient use of spectrum and may hold back delivery to broadband customers. 

The Lexington Institute joined eleven industry organizations signing a letter to Chairman of the FCC Brendan Carr urging a re-evaluation of the outdated spectrum sharing rules.  The bipartisan group urged the FCC to update current limits “to foster the burgeoning LEO satellite ecosystem, which will benefit American consumers and businesses, while protecting existing Geostationary Orbit (GSO) systems from harmful interference.”

U.S. dominance in space includes fending off China. In 2020, China filed plans for 12,992 satellites in LEO.  While their constellations are still small, China’s Long March rockets launched additional LEO satellites on multiple occasions over the summer and there can be no doubt China is aiming for the broadband market. 

As the letter states: “revising the EPFD limits will strengthen American competitiveness in the global satellite market and solidify US leadership in space. The ITU’s outdated rules for satellite spectrum are badly lagging the pace of American innovation.”