Streamlined Processes, International Standards Are Space Bureau, OIA Priorities: Chiefs
Beyond promoting U.S. space leadership, the FCC's newly launched Space Bureau is going to make regulatory process transparency and streamlined application processing a focus, Chief Julie Kearney said Tuesday at an event marking the launch of the agency reorganization of the International Bureau into the Space Bureau and Office of International Affairs. OIA Chief Ethan Lucarelli said a priority there would be the agency's role in international standards setting. The agency also named Joel Taubenblatt Wireless Bureau chief and Ron Repasi Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) chief. Both had been acting chiefs.
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Kearney said bureau priorities include facilitating novel space activity and updating space safety rules. She said the non-geostationary orbit spectrum sharing draft order on the agency's April agenda (see 2303290068) will be the first from the Space Bureau.
Kearney told us there are also plans to increase staffing. Satellite Industry Association board Chairwoman Jennifer Warren told us the existence of the bureau should make recruitment of space talent easier.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the reorganization and Space Bureau creation are part of what needs to be “a broader rethinking of satellite policy in the United States: "I don't think this agency can keep doing things the old way.” She said the agency has before it pending applications for more than 60,000 satellites, plus a sizable increase in gateway earth station applications.
Like OET's being both the FCC's in-house engineering consultancy and providing policy expertise, OIA will be the agency's in-house international consultancy, providing expertise across the rest of the agency, while doing substantive policy work in areas such as foreign ownership, Lucarelli said. He said OIA's value comes as telecom policy becomes increasingly globalized, with activity in the U.S. being watched internationally, while the U.S. has an opportunity to learn by watching developments elsewhere.
Both Kearney and Lucarelli cited the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference as a big forthcoming priority.
“As innovation enables us to reach space more quickly and extensively, the FCC’s decision to create a dedicated organization focused on space and related issues is an important development as the Commission looks to improve connectivity for all," the Information Technology Industry Council said. "This new focus on improving satellite connectivity will augment ongoing efforts and investments in terrestrial and cellular technologies while also creating additional resources and maximizing flexibility for all types of technology to advance."
Kearney was most recently space law special counsel for the FCC, and before that Twilio's vice president-communications regulatory affairs and policy. Lucarelli was most recently Rosenworcel's aide on wireless, public safety and international issues.