STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY

Re:	Amendment of Parts 2 and 25 of the Commission’s Rules to Facilitate the Use of Earth Stations in Motion Communicating with Geostationary Orbit Space Stations in Frequency Bands Allocated to the Fixed Satellite Service, IB Docket No. 17-95

Having been a recent cross-country traveler on an older airplane without any entertainment system, my appreciation of adequate broadband on moving vehicles has only increased.  As any frequent flyer – or not-so-frequent flyer – knows, the Wi-Fi on airplanes is generally lacking.  However, this shortcoming doesn’t have to be the case.  

With the fairly technical item before us today, the Commission streamlines and consolidates the rules for Earth Stations in Motion, commonly referred to as just ESIMs; permits operations in additional spectrum bands to facilitate communications with GSO satellites; and seeks comment on future frequencies for ESIMs.  Hopefully, our actions will facilitate and improve satellite broadband on ships, planes, trains and automobiles, not only to provide access to Americans as they travel, but also for the benefit of commerce and other uses.  

I approve.