Use FCC Biennial Review to Streamline Part 25 Licensing Rules, EchoStar Tells IB, Citing 5G, IoT

A biennial review of telecom rules could be used to streamline FCC Part 25 licensing rules for satellites, EchoStar lawyers told International Bureau officials. An applicant should have the option to get umbrella authority to operate its network of satellites, gateway earth stations and user terminals, EchoStar told acting IB Chief Tom Sullivan, Deputy Chief Troy Tanner, Chief Engineer Robert Nelson, Satellite Division Chief Jose Albuquerque and others (their job positions according to the IB), it recounted in a filing Tuesday in docket 16-131. "The FCC should enable satellite operators to relocate U.S.-licensed satellites, subject to certain conditions, on a pro forma basis." With IoT, 5G, machine to machine and other services, operators need FCC "regulatory certainty and flexibility comparable to that afforded by other administrations," said the company.