The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the U.S. government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, internet, Wi-Fi, satellite, and cable. Within the space industry, the FCC, particularly through its Space Bureau, leads policy and licensing matters related to satellite and space-based communications activities. It authorizes satellite and earth station systems, streamlines regulatory processes, and fosters efficient use of spectrum and orbital resources, coordinating with other agencies on space policy. The FCC also regulates space launch operations and orbital debris mitigation.
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The Federal Communications Commission is expected to issue a report and order on media ownership rules later in 2026.
On May 11, 2026, the American Television Alliance submitted a formal filing to the Federal Communications Commission calling for the immediate closure of regulatory loopholes that allow broadcasters to bypass ownership limits.
The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-0 on April 30 to approve a Report and Order that updates spectrum-sharing rules for geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems.
The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously on April 30, 2026 to modernize its satellite spectrum-sharing rules.
The Federal Communications Commission’s new satellite spectrum-sharing rules are designed to unlock faster speeds, lower costs, and greater reliability for space-based broadband services.
The Federal Communications Commission’s action is part of a broader initiative to modernize spectrum regulations for commercial satellite technology.
The Federal Communications Commission’s new satellite spectrum-sharing rules could enable up to seven times more capacity for satellite broadband operators.
The Federal Communications Commission’s approach relies on bilateral agreements between non-geostationary orbit and geostationary orbit satellite operators for interference protections.
The new Federal Communications Commission rules replace fixed Equivalent Power Flux Density caps with performance-based geostationary orbit protection criteria.
The Federal Communications Commission’s new satellite spectrum-sharing rules could generate more than $2 billion in economic benefits for Americans.
The new Federal Communications Commission rules encourage non-geostationary orbit and geostationary orbit operators to negotiate interference protections through voluntary private coordination agreements.
The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-0 to replace the Equivalent Power Flux Density framework with modern performance-based protection criteria for sharing spectrum between geostationary orbit and non-geostationary orbit satellite systems.
The Federal Communications Commission estimated that removing the regulatory constraint could produce more than $2 billion in economic benefits driven by improved service quality, expanded access, and reduced costs for end users.
Chairman Brendan Carr, Commissioner Anna Gomez, and Commissioner Scott Trusty approved the Federal Communications Commission’s Report and Order FCC 26-26.
The Federal Communications Commission adopted new satellite spectrum-sharing rules on April 30, 2026.
The Federal Communications Commission projects that eliminating the regulatory gap could release up to seven times more usable capacity for space-based broadband.
SpaceX filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission after Amazon’s first Arianespace launch, alleging that the satellites exceeded the authorised target orbit of 400 kilometres in altitude.
The Federal Communications Commission granted AST SpaceMobile commercial authority to deploy a 248-satellite constellation in low Earth orbit.
The SAT Streamlining Act is intended to modernize how the Federal Communications Commission licenses satellite operators.
On April 21, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission granted AST & Science, LLC, doing business as AST SpaceMobile, authority to launch and operate a constellation of 248 non-geostationary orbit satellites.