Viasat's License Violations Warrant Undoing Inmarsat OK: SpaceX

Complaining that the FCC Space Bureau and Office of International Affairs refused to consider its evidence showing Viasat's repeated violations of its earth station licenses, SpaceX asked the FCC to rescind the bureaus' May order allowing Viasat to acquire Inmarsat's authorizations (see 2305220003) "for further consideration of Viasat’s character qualifications." In its docket 22-153 application Wednesday, SpaceX said Viasat "knowingly and willfully" violated its earth station license terms for nearly four years by operating in the non-geostationary orbit Ka bands without first getting coordination agreements from each NGSO fixed satellite service operator or getting relief from the FCC. The commission can't let the bureau order precedent stand because it could end up undermining established requirements for reviewing character qualifications in transfer of control proceedings, SpaceX said. Viasat didn't comment.