Matt Daneman

Expect lots of satellite operators in the direct-to-device space using myriad approaches, from reusing terrestrial spectrum, using satellite spectrum or something else altogether, satellite company executives said Tuesday during a SpaceNews webinar. Multiple satellite operators beat the drum for the FCC's supplemental coverage from space (SCS) framework adopted in March (see 2403140050). Other large regulators will follow suit and put forward SCS frameworks, Lynk Global Chief Operating Officer Margo Deckard said. AST SpaceMobile's CEO said something similar to Wall Street this week (see 2404020007).

Though space agencies are starting to invest in orbital debris removal, most experts believe a commercial marketplace for it is years away. "It's really interesting technology, but where is the customer?" said BryceTech analyst Nick Boensch. Companies and startups in the debris removal space anticipate a sizable commercial demand emerging; however, for now it's a government-driven market only.

Numerous challenges -- from development of hybrid antennas that work for both satellite and mobile networks, to getting chipset manufacturers on board churning out dual-network chips -- need to be met before satellite/cellular convergence arrives, satellite operator executives said Wednesday during a Global Satellite Operator's Association webinar. Sateliot CEO Jaume Sanpera said terminals that allow seamless connectivity, not just between satellite and terrestrial networks but among mulit-orbit satellite constellations, also are key. Intelsat Chief Technology Officer Bruno Fromont said satellite operators must ultimately become mobile operators, allowing roaming with terrestrial networks. While Mediatek is working on a Ku-band chip to enable higher-speed satellite broadband, the resulting terminals will have to be mass-produced to see the big drops in terminal costs that also are needed, Fromont said. Multiple speakers said direct-to-device (D2D) business models must be assessed.

The FCC is moving toward requiring georouting of mobile calls made to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, with Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's office Thursday circulating on the 10th floor a draft NPRM proposing a georouting rule. Mental health interests applauded the move. "This is something we've been pushing for pretty much since the law that created 988 passed" in 2020, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski told us. The text of the draft NPRM wasn't released.

The U.S. was premature in creating a supplemental coverage from space (SCS) rules framework, and other nations ought to wait until after the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference, when there's a more globalized framework to follow, said Mindel de la Torre, Omnispace chief regulatory and international strategy officer, Thursday at Access Intelligence’s Satellite 2024 conference in Washington. Multiple 2023 WRC attendees said there was far greater focus on future agenda items than at past WRCs.

Converged terrestrial and satellite connectivity is a given, but the path is strewn with unknowns and sizable technological and business stumbling blocks, according to satellite operator CEOs. For example, satellite operators must start thinking and acting like mobile network operators, creating an ecosystem that allows seamless roaming among them, Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg said during Access Intelligence’s Satellite 2024 conference in Washington Wednesday. Separately, space sustainability advocates urged a mission authorization regulatory framework and universal use of design features such as docking plates enabling on-orbit serving or towing. Meanwhile, conference organizers said event attendance reached 14,000.

Faced with an increasingly antagonistic developing world, the commercial satellite industry must do a better job selling itself and its benefits, NTIA senior spectrum advisor Scott Blake Harris said Tuesday during Access Intelligence’s Satellite 2024 conference in Washington. Regions that feel left out by the low earth orbit satellite boom expressed hostility toward LEO issues during the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference, he said. Throughout the day, multiple satellite operators and space industry experts mentioned the developing world as a large potential target market, particularly for satellite broadband. Harris said he’s concerned that the ITU and regulatory processes could delay existing satellite systems and development of new ones. Between now and WRC-27, the satellite industry must convince the developing world “it has something to offer."

Direct-to-device (D2D) services enjoy strong demand worldwide, but putting a dollar figure on that potential market is challenging, speakers said Monday at Access Intelligence's Satellite 2024 conference in Washington. Multiple launch providers discussed new rockets coming online. Satellite operators touted the role of satellites closing the digital divide worldwide.

SpaceX already dominates the U.S. commercial space launch market and many commercial space industry experts expect that trend will continue for the next few years. Its under-development Starship rocket -- able to carry upward of 100 tons of cargo per launch and potentially put satellites in orbit for a fraction of the cost on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket -- could further cement that dominance, launch experts told us.

Many small and mid-sized internet service providers (ISP) have doubts that they will participate widely if at all in the broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program. At ACA Connects' annual summit Wednesday in Washington, President Grant Spellmeyer said members are concerned "about where BEAD is headed" on project requirements and conditions. "Places like Pennsylvania have got some troubling provisions that are slowing members down," he said. "I think you're going to see wildly disparate results across the 50 states." One ISP that operates in multiple states told us it's leaning away from participating in the states with particularly onerous conditions.