FCC telecommunications and spectrum regulation

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is pursuing regulatory updates to expand spectrum availability and modernize telecommunications rules.

Initial plans involve allocating over 1000MHz of spectrum in the 12GHz and 42GHz bands to support satellite internet, aviation, and maritime communications. This initiative aims to increase data speeds and capacity while supporting the development of 5G and 6G technologies. Related regulatory efforts include reviewing the use of Ku, Ka, and D bands for spacecraft control and overhauling ultra-wideband (UWB) regulations to facilitate services like AI-based sensing.

In late September 2026, the FCC announced a tentative agenda for an Open Meeting to address these issues, including proposed revisions to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The proposal seeks to eliminate the ‘wholesale revocation’ provision, which currently requires callers to stop all automated communications if a recipient revokes consent for a single category, allowing instead for an exclusive method for revoking consent.

Following these discussions, the FCC adopted an order to expand satellite spectrum use, specifically opening more than 1,000 megahertz across the 12.7–13.25 GHz and 42–42.5 GHz bands. This order permits two-way fixed-satellite service operations in the upper 12 GHz band, including uplinks from licensed gateways to satellites in geostationary and non-geostationary orbits. In the 42 GHz band, the order allows downlinks to licensed satellite gateway and feeder-link stations. The expansion is intended to increase capacity for broadband connections, gateway links, user terminals, and maritime or aircraft communications, though commercial utility remains dependent on future licensing and interference management.