Ellis Scherer

Following the FCC’s vote to modernize its satellite and earth station licensing rules at its July 22 Open Meeting, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) released the following statement from Policy Analyst Ellis Scherer.

The Commission should approve this transaction because it will serve the public interest by increasing spectrum productivity, increasing competition in the emerging D2D marketplace, and extending mobile communications coverage to remote and underserved areas.

The United States is the global power in space, but insufficient spaceport infrastructure threatens the growth of the American space industry. Congress, NASA, and Space Force must address the problem before it undermines U.S. leadership.

The Commission should thoughtfully consider AT&T’s petition because it could catalyze the retirement of outdated copper networks, accelerate network modernization, and advance the transition to a modern, all-IP communications ecosystem.

Overly restrictive spectrum allocations have left terrestrial bands underutilized. Regulators should not repeat those mistakes as they develop new policies for the orbital economy.

At a time of unprecedented growth in the broadband market, California’s broadband laws remain unchanged, and it is costing consumers faster, more reliable Internet.

China’s space industry was once nascent. But, with support from the Chinese Communist Party, it has developed into a robust commercial sector and is closing the innovation gap with the United States.

The Commission should consider the diverse spectrum requirements of future spacecraft, clarify regulations governing access to existing commercial bands, and make additional spectrum available.

The Commission should modernize its satellite market access framework by applying the ECO-SAT reciprocity test to all foreign-licensed satellite systems seeking U.S. market access, regardless of WTO membership status.

The Commission should resolve Kuiper Systems' application consistently with the policy vision embodied in its reforms to the satellite milestone and bond system as proposed in the Space Modernization Proceeding.

ITIF urges NTIA to use BEAD nondeployment funds to close the digital divide by targeting broadband adoption barriers while rejecting subsidies for profitable private ventures, overbuilding, regulatory inefficiencies, or clawing back funds contrary to the statute’s purpose.

This merger will be a win for consumers, and regulators should not stand in the way. Critics contend that mergers and acquisitions like this undermine competition. But that is far from the case in the consumer broadband market.

ITIF’s spring seminar course explores core emerging technologies and issues that are reshaping our world and, in the process, creating public policy challenges and opportunities. The course is open to congressional and federal staff only.

Watch now for a panel discussion featuring submarine cable owners and operators as they delve into the past, present, and future of this essential industry. Learn about the technological advances, policy challenges, and global implications shaping the world beneath the waves.