Hughes Pushes New Authorization Regime, Tech Neutrality in FCC Meeting

The application process for space and ground component authorizations for new satellite systems should be streamlined into a unified authorization system with a five-year milestone for placing the components for that network into operation, Hughes Network Systems CEO Pradman Kaul told Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, according to an ex parte filing Thursday in docket 16-124. Current rules only allow individually licensed earth station authorizations to be obtained a year before service commences, and that created a two-step process, different from how it licenses terrestrial wireless operations. Hughes said it's important that geostationary and non-geostationary satellites have co-primary status in the 18.8-19.3 GHz and 28.6-29.1 GHz bands, in a separate filing in docket 16-408, and argued for the spectrum frontiers proceeding being technology neutral "to ensure equitable competition among platforms." Hughes said that doesn't mean spectrum should be apportioned equally among technologies, but that platforms should have adequate access so they can compete with other platforms in different market segments.