Competitors' License Mod Conditions Are 'Last-Ditch Efforts': SpaceX

The conditions suggested by satellite operators and others on SpaceX's pending license modification (see 2104130001) are "last-ditch efforts to impose counterproductive provisions meant to hobble a competitor," the company said in an FCC International Bureau filing Thursday. It said the proposed conditions "would ... effectively undermine a potential grant of the modification itself." Listing various conditions to which it already agreed, SpaceX also suggested three more: that it not operate under its modified authorization of above 580 km, that it file semiannual updates on the success rate of its satellites, and that it operate its Ku-band user terminal downlinks and gateway downlinks in the 19.7-20.2 GHz band without using more than one satellite beam from any of its satellites in the same frequency in the same or overlapping areas at a time. SpaceX also submitted more than six pages of rebuttals and critiques of conditions suggested by others. SpaceX "seeks a limitless and exclusive access to" low earth orbit, said John Janka, Viasat chief officer-global government affairs and regulatory, in a statement. "The rest of the industry joins in calling for common-sense conditions that are consistent with the law, longstanding Commission policy, and safe and shared use of space around the world."