STATEMENT OF CHAIRWOMAN JESSICA ROSENWORCEL Re: Revising Spectrum Sharing Rules for Non-Geostationary Orbit, Fixed-Satellite Service Systems, IB Docket No. 21-456; Revision of Section 25.261 of the Commission’s Rules to Increase Certainty in Spectrum Sharing Obligations Among Non-Geostationary Orbit Fixed-Satellite Service Systems, RM-11855. For more than half a century, space-driven technologies have been responsible for a lot of improvements in our daily life. That includes everything from robotics that support new surgical capabilities to lithium-ion batteries that power electric cars to cameras that make panoramic photography a snap. Looking back, it is clear the first space age was an incredible source of innovation. Now a new space age beckons. It means more satellites, more possibilities for exploration, and more opportunities for entrepreneurial activity in our skies. Already we are seeing rockets for space tourism and new constellations that can expand broadband to the furthest reaches of the globe. To help usher in this new era, the Federal Communications Commission will need to make changes. We’re already on our way. In April, for the first time in history, the FCC allocated spectrum specifically to support commercial space launch operations. In November, we cleared the way for two new low-Earth orbiting constellations that will bring broadband and internet of things services to consumers, businesses, and government customers in the United States and globally. And in August, we initiated a new V-band processing round that has resulted in proposals from nine constellations for nearly 38,000 new satellites that will offer global broadband. Today, we are taking note of the significant increase in innovative low-Earth orbit satellite systems seeking to offer broadband with higher speeds and lower latencies. This is exciting! But the rush to develop these new space opportunities requires new rules that keep competition and innovation front of mind. Because despite the revolutionary activity in our skies, the regulatory frameworks we rely on to shape these efforts are dated. They were built for an era when heading to space was strictly for government superpowers. They did not imagine a world where space entrepreneurship and competition could take hold. So in this rulemaking we take a hard look at our satellite rules. We want to make sure they create a level playing field for new competitors. We start by reviewing our processing round rules for non-geosynchronous satellites in low-Earth orbit. Right now, these rules grant a first-mover advantage to satellite companies through a spectrum priority. That can be a good thing, especially if it provides early entrants the certainty they need to invest in costly and risky satellite deployments. But it is not a good thing if it shuts out competitors from even entering the space. So we ask if the FCC should sunset that first-mover advantage after some time, so that our rules reward investment while also creating the opportunity for new entrants to achieve a level playing field. To further support competition, we also propose rules to improve spectrum sharing and communication between satellite operators. With this rulemaking, we are just getting started. Because we also need to speed the processing of applications to keep pace with all the innovation headed our way. On top of that, the demands of these new constellations will require the FCC to coordinate more closely than ever before with our federal partners with interest in this area. That’s a lot. But count me as excited. There’s work to do to support this new space age—now let’s get to it. Thank you to the agency staff who worked on this rulemaking, including Clay DeCell, Jennifer Gilsenan, Karl Kensinger, Kathryn Medley, Thomas Sullivan, Troy Tanner, and Merissa Velez from the International Bureau; David  Konczal and Bill Richardson from the Office of General Counsel; Patrick Brogan, Catherine Matraves, Virginia Metallo, Marilyn Simon, and Emily Talaga from the Office of Economics and Analytics; and Maura McGowan from the Office of Communications Business Opportunities.