Media Contact: 
Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536
tina.pelkey@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
CHAIRMAN PAI STATEMENT ON 
SPACEX SATELLITE BROADBAND APPLICATION
Recognizes Role of Satellite Broadband in Bridging the Digital Divide and 
Connecting Americans
WASHINGTON, February 14, 2018—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit 
Pai today proposed that the agency approve an application by Space Exploration Holdings, 
doing business as SpaceX, to provide broadband services using satellite technologies in the 
United States and on a global basis.  Chairman Pai issued the following statement: 
“To bridge America’s digital divide, we’ll have to use innovative technologies.  SpaceX’s 
application—along with those of other satellite companies seeking licenses or access to the 
U.S. market for non-geostationary satellite orbit systems—involves one such innovation.  
Satellite technology can help reach Americans who live in rural or hard-to-serve places where 
fiber optic cables and cell towers do not reach.  And it can offer more competition where 
terrestrial Internet access is already available.   
“Following careful review of this application by our International Bureau’s excellent satellite 
engineering experts, I have asked my colleagues to join me in supporting this application and 
moving to unleash the power of satellite constellations to provide high-speed Internet to rural 
Americans.  If adopted, it would be the first approval given to an American-based company to 
provide broadband services using a new generation of low-Earth orbit satellite technologies.”
Background
Over the past year, the FCC has approved requests by OneWeb, Space Norway, and Telesat to 
access the United States market to provide broadband services using satellite technology that 
holds promise to expand Internet access in remote and rural areas across the country.  These 
approvals are the first of their kind for a new generation of large, non-geostationary satellite 
orbit, fixed-satellite service systems, and the Commission continues to process other, similar 
requests.
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).