STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER GEOFFREY STARKS

Re: 	Revising Spectrum Sharing Rules for Non-Geostationary Orbit, Fixed-Satellite Service Systems, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – IB Docket No. 21-456 

One thing is for sure—when you’re talking about spectrum sharing between NGSO systems, much is at stake.  Successful coordination could be the difference between expanding broadband’s reach to the hardest locations to serve in the United States—or delaying service and choice to those on the wrong side of the digital divide.  It could be the difference between maintaining pole position in the global space economy—or handing the lead to our economic and geopolitical rivals.  And it could be the difference between finding an economically sustainable path for massive space investments—or watching them shine fast and bright for a few years only to fizzle.  Then comes our security.  In this day and age, having multiple, secure, resilient, high-capacity, low-latency, and U.S.-based satellite broadband networks is essential.  That could be the difference between keeping our military and allies online and connected—or having their communications go dark when our collective security depends on access.

But reaching the right result is as challenging as it is important.  Why?  We’re being asked to strike a delicate balance that provides stability and security on the one hand while accommodating serial innovation in a truly dynamic industry on the other.  To further complicate matters, we have to achieve balance on any number of policy levers, many of which are interrelated.  What’s the right sharing methodology?  What’s the right protection level under that sharing methodology?  What’s the right effective period for that protection and how should sharing work after it expires?  What can operators do—and not do—while they’re still demonstrating how they will share with an existing system?  

I think we’ve reached that right balance today.  And it wasn’t easy—just look at the filings from the past three weeks.  I’m also pleased that we’re not rushing to judgment on several key issues that could benefit from additional exploration.  Because given the stakes here, getting each detail right is important. 

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank the International Bureau for a fantastic closing performance in its long and storied history.  I look forward to working with the newly launched Space Bureau—and its inaugural Chief, Julie Kearney—on this and other satellite proceedings in the future.  

This item has my full support.