FCC Reveals Proposed Schedule for April's Public Meeting
Ready to Tune In: FCC's April 2025 Open Commission Meeting
WASHINGTON D.C. - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is gearing up for its monthly open meeting on April 28, 2025. Here's the lowdown on what's on the agenda for this intriguing event:
Satellite Broadband and the Spectrum Gold Rush
FCC is moving forward with its "Final Frontiers" agenda, aiming to unlock more spectrum for satellite broadband expansion. This new wave of connectivity from space could provide high-speed internet access to remote areas.
On the agenda, you'll find the discussion of proposals to power up the following bands:
- 12.7-13.25 GHz Band: Regulatory roadblocks, including Footnotes NG52 and NG57, are being reevaluated for more flexible satellite utilization, encompassing both geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) systems and Earth Stations in Motion (ESIMs).
- 42.0-42.5 GHz Band: Considered "greenfield" spectrum, this band is primed for next-gen technologies. FCC is developing new licensing frameworks to accommodate these technological titans.
- Other bands such as the 51.4-52.4 GHz and "W-band" covering 92-114.25 GHz are also up for grabs. These bands boast massive, underutilized spaces perfect for super-fast satellite broadband.
Look out for an upcoming NPRM, which will garner public opinion on modernizing spectrum sharing between GSO and NGSO systems. The aim is to revise the power flux density limits from 1990s ITU standards. These updates could free up over 20,000 megahertz of spectrum, potentially paving the way for lightning-fast satellite internet services - speeds no fiber-optic network can touch!
Lower 37 GHz Band Spectrum
While specifics aren't explicitly stated, FCC's focus on spectrum modernization and sharing for both satellite and 5G services indicates we might get an exciting update related to the lower 37 GHz band. Could the meeting unveil groundbreaking policies or proposals improving terrestrial and satellite services? Stay tuned to find out!
Robocalls: The Scourge of Telecommunications
The FCC's latest meeting agenda includes a focus on automated calls, a.k.a. robocalls. Expect proposals for rules or enforcement measures aimed at squashing this ongoing nuisance, prioritizing consumer protection.
Foreign Ownership: Cleaning Up the Regulatory Slate
Current foreign ownership rules, which govern the extent of foreign investment and control within U.S. telecom companies, are going to get some attention. Expect the agenda to delve into transparency issues, national security matters, competitive market concerns, and efforts to update these rules for a rapidly evolving global and technological landscape.
Keeping the Public in the Loop
The meeting kicks off at 10:30 a.m. ET on April 28th in the FCC's Commission Meeting Room. Despite the closed-access FCC building, the meeting will be live-streamed at fcc.gov/live for your convenience.
Stay informed, gear up for innovation, and unmask the great beyond. Join us for the FCC's April Open Commission Meeting!
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning to discuss and potentially make decisions on proposals to unlock more spectrum for satellite broadband expansion, aiming to deliver high-speed internet access in remote areas, during the April 28, 2025 open meeting.
- Among the agenda items is the reevaluation of regulatory roadblocks for the 12.7-13.25 GHz Band, to enable more flexible satellite utilization including geostationary and non-geostationary systems, as well as Earth Stations in Motion.
- The meeting also includes a discussion on the 42.0-42.5 GHz Band, viewed as prime spectrum for next-gen technologies, and the development of new licensing frameworks to accommodate these technological powerhouses in the industry.
- The FCC is preparing to release an upcoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that will gather public opinion on modernizing spectrum sharing between geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems, with the aim of freeing up over 20,000 megahertz of spectrum for lightning-fast satellite internet services.
- In addition to satellite broadband, the meeting will also address the issue of robocalls, discussing rules or enforcement measures aimed at reducing these automated calls and prioritizing consumer protection.
