Satellite Broadband Providers Happy with Recognition in NBP

Satellite broadband providers were pleased to find significant recognition of the role the technology could play in increasing the reach of broadband in the FCC’s National Broadband Plan, executives from Hughes Networks and WildBlue said in interviews. While past government broadband initiatives, such as the first round of the broadband stimulus grants, largely discounted satellite broadband as a useful means for connectivity expansion, the FCC’s broadband task for took a new approach, they said.

The plan makes several mentions of satellite broadband, largely talking about satellite’s role in connecting the most-rural areas. Its chapter on broadband availability recommends the commission consider “alternative approaches, such as satellite broadband, for addressing the most costly areas” of the U.S. to minimize the contribution burden on consumers across America and “means-tested consumer subsidies for satellite service.”

"I was prepared for something worse, but I was pleasantly surprised,” said WildBlue General Counsel Lisa Scalpone. She thought there were some “real gems” in the plan for satellite broadband and that the technology is “in there and plays an important role. I thought the technology-neutral standards were great. The service quality measurements were great. That is something we wanted to roll out ourselves.” The plan’s recognition of satellite as a necessity in emergency preparedness was also a major win for the technology, she said.

Hughes Network General Counsel Dean Manson said he was glad the plan saw satellite broadband as “critical to get to 100 percent” connectivity. “We were pleased to see the government increasingly identifying that as national goal.” The recognition “flowed naturally” from that goal and the fact that the industry has helped stay relevant by “pushing forward for advances in technology and not letting up.” The task force came to the “logical conclusion that satellite has to be part of puzzle,” he said. What’s next in terms of FCC action remains unclear or if the recognition will continue on into the next stage of the process, said Manson. The plan is just the “first step of multi-pronged process.”