Viasat's GSO Applications Proof of Warehousing: SpaceX

The legions of geostationary orbit gateway earth stations in the upper microwave flexible use band Viasat applied for in recent days are evidence the FCC's lengthier buildout period for GSO earth station deployments adopted last year is allowing stockpiling of earth station sites, SpaceX said in a docket 18-314 filing posted Tuesday. Since July 1, per our search of International Bureau filings, Viasat has submitted 382 earth station applications in the 27.5-28.35 MHz band to connect with its Viasat-3 network. SpaceX said Hughes' critiques of arguments against the extended buildout period now "essentially concedes" that Viasat is engaged in stockpiling earth station sites. Hughes said earlier this month the Viasat applications "prove nothing about the likelihood of warehousing" and that SpaceX hasn't shown evidence the sites are unnecessary. SpaceX is among parties that sought reconsideration of Part 25 satellite rules (see 2105070044). Neither Viasat nor Hughes commented Wednesday.