What They Are Saying: Stakeholders Applaud Satellite Spectrum Sharing
 
Chairman Carr Leads the Way on Space-Based Broadband 
 
FCC to Vote on Thursday to Modernize Outdated EPFD Rules
    
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2026—Tomorrow, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on new rules to modernize its satellite spectrum-sharing rules—a change that could unlock more than $2 billion in economic benefits for the American people and up to seven-fold more capacity for space-based broadband services.  The FCC’s new technical rules will revise the decades-old framework for how Geostationary Orbit (GSO) and Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) systems share spectrum.  The FCC’s new framework will enable faster speeds, lower costs, and greater reliability, representing another step to ensure that consumers benefit from competitive and affordable internet options.   
  
What they are saying: 
 
Amazon: “We applaud Chairman Carr for advancing efforts at the FCC to modernize outdated satellite broadband regulations. Updating decades-old power limits isn't just about technology—it's about connecting people across the United States who still lack broadband access. These reforms would unlock billions in new economic activity, expand broadband capacity, and deliver faster internet to communities that need it most.” Kalpak Gude, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs, Amazon Leo 
 
American Consumer Institute: “The American Consumer Institute commends the Federal Communications Commission for considering new and different rules for satellite broadband that reflect the new, innovative technologies of the 21st century. ACI first warned of America’s “antiquated” regulations on satellite system power in 2024, cautioning that government rules designed for a bygone era of broadband technology created worse broadband service with more delays. The FCC deserves credit for its efforts to make more quality broadband choices available to consumers at prices they can afford.” Logan Kolas, Director of Technology Policy 
 
Bull Moose Project: “Communications technology is light-years ahead of where it was decades ago, but our regulations aren’t. They are holding America back from unleashing a tide of space-based telecom innovation. We are thrilled to see that Chairman Carr and the FCC are taking on this important issue.” Aiden Buzzetti, Founder & President 
 
Center for Strategic and International Studies: “Relaxing the EPFD limits is an essential step to ensuring the continued strategic leadership of the U.S. in space.  I applaud the FCC’s efforts to take action on this critical issue.” Matt Pearl, Director, Strategic Technologies Program 
 
Commercial Space Federation: “The Commercial Space Federation applauds the Commission’s diligent efforts to root out and review obsolete and inefficient satellite regulations to promote innovation, growth, and competition. The new sharing framework established in the draft order will align the Commission’s NGSO-GSO spectrum sharing rules with its efficient sharing framework for next- generation satellite systems and its spectrum management principles and will serve as a model for similar reform efforts in other countries and at the International Telecommunication Union.” Dave Cavossa, President 
 
Computer & Communications Industry Association: “CCIA applauds the Commission’s work on updating the outdated EPFD limits. This Report and Order has the potential to unlock satellite broadband expansion, spark economic growth, and strengthen national resilience.” Karina Perez, Director of the Space & Spectrum Policy Center 
 
Connect Everyone Coalition: “We’re encouraged by the FCC’s adoption to replace outdated equivalent power flux density (EPFD) regulations with modern, performance-based protection criteria and a good-faith coordination framework. The outdated EPFD framework threatened to bottleneck 21st-century space-based innovations and hinder satellites from accessing the higher power levels they need to expand their capacity. By modernizing spectrum sharing, the FCC can now adopt regulations that strengthen Americans’ access to fast, affordable broadband through innovative technologies like low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity and accelerate U.S. leadership in space. We applaud Chairman Carr and the Commissioners for their leadership on this issue.” Richard Cullen, Executive Director

Digital Liberty: “The ability to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband from space is a transformational technology. The Federal Communications Commission has a historic opportunity to secure American leadership in a critical next generation technology, accelerate the closure of the digital divide, and introduce new competition into the broadband marketplace that benefits consumers. Chairman Carr is not waiting for the rest of the world to make up its mind – he’s allowing America to lead.” James Erwin, Executive Director 
 
Digital Progress Institute: “The FCC’s action here will accelerate space deployments, promote innovation, and increase competition in the telecom market. We welcome this positive step!” Joel Thayer, President 
 
Foundation for American Innovation: “Chairman Carr’s efforts to modernize spectrum coordination should be applauded. This move will expand satellite connectivity and bolster American space leadership.” Joshua Levine, Director of Technology and Statecraft 
 
Information Technology and Innovation Foundation: “The FCC’s proposed spectrum-sharing rules will allow satellite operators to provide better broadband service to more Americans. Removing restrictions on NGSO satellites while still protecting GSO satellite services will enable more productive spectrum use. That benefits American consumers because NGSO satellite broadband services now cover almost the entire United States. The proposed FCC rules are also beneficial for America’s technological competitiveness because they will enable further innovation in satellite connectivity, which will help foster growth across the entire U.S. space industry.” Ellis Scherer, Policy Analyst, Broadband, Spectrum & Space 
 
International Center for Law and Economics: “The upcoming EPFD vote is a chance for the FCC to bring satellite policy into the present. This is about making interference protections smarter by grounding them in real-world performance, protecting geostationary systems, and unlocking more capacity, competition, and connectivity for Americans who still lack reliable broadband.” Kristian Stout, ICLE Director of Innovation Policy 

Lexington Institute: “The FCC’s refreshing approach to modernizing spectrum sharing for satellites rests on solid science.  More tools and techniques are available to open up spectrum beyond the 1997 EPFD limits.  Modernizing spectrum sharing is important for America’s space economy.  Don’t forget that the space economy is a sector where the U.S. still holds a commanding lead over China. Modernization of EPFD standards will help the U.S. expand its clear market lead in broadband access.  The FCC is wise to open the door for American companies to build out their NGSO constellations.” Rebecca Grant, PhD, Senior Fellow & Vice President, Defense Programs  
 
Open Technology Institute at New America: “We applaud the Commission for pursuing this far more efficient satellite spectrum sharing framework premised on good faith coordination and protections against actual, and not theoretical, interference. The FCC’s sharing approach will yield enormous increases in satellite downlink capacity for consumer broadband, as well as for enterprise connectivity and innovation. The FCC’s adoption of this modernized GSO/NGSO sharing framework will also give the U.S. delegation to next year’s World Radiocommunication Conference in Shanghai the evidence of success they need to build global support for making this far more efficient framework the basis for international rules that facilitate continued LEO expansion and innovation.” Michael Calabrese, Director of Wireless Future 
 
Progressive Policy Institute: “Current EPFD limits were written decades ago and fail to capture the capabilities of modern satellite systems. The FCC has a historic opportunity to promote smarter spectrum use, expand connectivity for unserved and underserved communities, and make real progress toward closing the digital divide. Preserving the status quo means preserving exclusion. Smart reform will ensure spectrum works for the public good in the broadband age.” Mary Guenther, Head of Space Policy 
 
Software & Information Industry Association: “SIIA supports Federal Communications Commission's effort to revise limits on satellite spectrum sharing and equivalent power-flux densities, bringing these rules into the 21st century. EPFD limits were adopted in 2000, and don't account for the ways that modern satellite providers mitigate interference and risk. The current limits restrict the deployment and use of low earth orbit constellations essential for building accessible and resilient connectivity.” Paul Lekas, Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy & Government Affairs 
 
TechFreedom: “The Commission's efforts to expand spectrum availability for satellite users is commendable. Thirty years ago, the FCC was actually removing access to spectrum and severely limiting power because they didn't see an immediate need for NGSO space services. Fast forward to 2026, and it's vital that we provide the commercial space sector with more spectrum and more power as the terrestrial and space domains become integrated into a seamless and ubiquitous communications network.” Jim Dunstan, Senior Council  
 
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “The Chamber commends the Commission's proposal to replace the legacy EPFD framework with performance-based GSO protection criteria that reflect the improved spectrum-sharing capabilities of modern satellite technology. The current EPFD limits, developed in the late 1990s, are outdated and deny American households and businesses—particularly those in rural and remote communities—the fastest satellite broadband that American innovation can deliver. Modernizing these rules is not merely a technical exercise; it is a matter of connecting the millions of Americans who still lack adequate broadband access.” John Neal, Vice President 
 
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