On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission decided to modernize the rules for shared use of the satellite spectrum. These changes are expected to increase data transmission speeds, reduce costs, and improve the reliability of satellite broadband for users across the United States.

As part of the update, previous criteria for equivalent power flux density, which were used to protect geostationary satellites (GSO), were eliminated. New rules have been introduced that take into account current satellite technologies, such as adaptive coding and modulation. The new system is based on throughput and allows for more efficient use of the spectrum.

According to the Commission's estimates, implementing the new rules could generate over $2 billion in economic benefits and increase the capacity of satellite broadband services by a factor of seven.

The updated spectrum sharing regime provides for coordination between satellite operators in geostationary and non-geostationary orbits (NGSO and GSO) through voluntary private agreements, enabling more flexible solutions to interference protection issues.

The previous regulatory framework, developed in the late 1990s, limited the power of NGSO operators using EPFD limits to protect GSO satellites. These restrictions were based on theoretical models of that era and did not account for modern advances in satellite technology.

The Commission noted that outdated protection measures hindered American households and businesses, especially in rural and remote areas, from accessing the fastest satellite broadband services.

The decision was made at a Commission meeting with the support of the chair and two commissioners.