STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER BRENDAN CARR

Re:	Space Exploration Holdings, LLC Application for Approval for Orbital Deployment and Operating Authority for the SpaceX V-band NGSO Satellite System, IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20170301-00027;  In the Matter of Kepler Corporation Petition for Declaratory Ruling to Grant Access to the U.S. Market for Kepler’s NGSO FSS System, IBFS File No. SAT-PDR-20161115-00114; In the Matter of Telesat Canada Petition for Declaratory Ruling to Grant Access to the U.S. Market for Telesat’s V-band NGSO Constellation, IBFS File No. SAT-PDR-20170301-00023;In the Matter of LeoSat MA, Inc., Petition for Declaratory Ruling Concerning U.S. Market Access for the LeoSat Ka-band Low-Earth Orbit Satellite System, IBFS File No. SAT-PDR-20161115-00112.

Never before have there been so many companies using such diverse technologies to connect Americans—and that is phenomenal news.  We used to focus on improved speeds over copper, and then fiber, and then over the air using LTE.  Today, the buzz includes fixed wireless and gigabit connections powered by high-band spectrum and 5G.  With these four decisions, we authorize another tool in the broadband toolbox: large constellations of satellites in low-earth orbit. 

These satellites are smaller and less expensive to launch than the traditional geostationary satellites that have been going up since the 1960s.  They promise lower latency connections because they typically orbit only a few hundred miles above Earth, as opposed to many thousands.  Many corners of our country that don’t have broadband today, or don’t have many broadband choices, could soon see new, high-speed services thanks to these low-earth orbit satellites.  At least two of the applicants we consider today plan to offer services that could enable IoT devices—powering smart cities and smart ag.  And those use cases complement the many connections satellites make today on ships, airplanes, and other vehicles.

 The broader point is that, at this moment, innovation in tech and telecom has the extraordinary potential to benefit everyday Americans.  As we move towards 5G, satellite, fiber, cable, fixed wireless, and a range of other offerings are all going to compete for your broadband dollars.  And we can help move competition in that direction through smart policies.  

That’s what we’re doing today.  We’re not picking winners and losers in the competition to provide more broadband to more Americans.  We don’t have the foresight to centrally plan the particular mode of connectivity everyone will use.  Recognizing this is a good thing.  After all, if your family is getting fast, affordable broadband, you probably don’t care whether that connection is through a low-earth satellite or high-band spectrum.  So that’s the approach we take here.  We let these four companies move forward and allow the market to decide their success.

For my part, I am excited to see what services these four companies will offer.  And I’m glad we’re clearing the way for more choices and more connections for Americans, regardless of where they live.  Once again, I want to thank the International Bureau for its work on these items.  They have my support.