The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) has taken action to expand the frequency bands available to satellite earth stations in motion (ESIMs). Satellite ESIMs are used to provide continuous and consistent broadband services to moving platforms, such as ships, airplanes, and vehicles, by connecting them to satellites. The Commission’s decision simplifies the regulatory scheme by extending blanket earth station licensing, which was previously only available to fixed satellite systems in geostationary satellite orbit, to communications between satellite ESIMs and non-geostationary satellite stations. The FCC seeks comment on whether the out-of-band emission of satellite ESIMs operating with non-geostationary satellite stations will cause potential interference to operations in the adjacent band, the Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (UMFUS).
