Part 2, Part 25 Rules Updates 'Paramount,' SpaceX Says

The FCC updating its Part 2 and Part 25 rules for non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) constellations "is paramount," SpaceX told International Bureau and eighth-floor staffers in a series of meetings and phone calls, according to docket 16-408 filings posted Thursday (see here and here). In the meetings, SpaceX said the agency moving on OneWeb's market entry petition shows it understands NGSO constellations can help close the broadband connectivity gap. It also urged the FCC "to maintain a brisk pace" processing the NGSO applications -- including SpaceX's -- that were accepted for filing by the OneWeb processing round. Pointing to the OneWeb draft order making clear no NGSO will have exclusive spectrum rights, SpaceX said finalizing the rules update and codifying that approach will provide operating certainty for deployment of numerous NGSO systems. The meetings included acting Bureau Chief Tom Sullivan and aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and to Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Mike O'Rielly, according to SpaceX. The OneWeb draft order is seen passing easily at the commission's June 22 meeting (see 1706120036).