The Federal Communications Commission has voted to reorganize the International Bureau into a new bureau tasked with overseeing satellite programs and policy within the agency and a standalone office to support its statutory obligations.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement published Monday that the new Space Bureau will work to align the agency’s resources with its statutory obligations, improve interagency coordination and support future requirements of the satellite industry.
“The satellite industry is growing at a record pace, but here on the ground our regulatory frameworks for licensing have not kept up. We’re working to change that. Today, we are moving forward with our plan to prepare for what comes next,” Rosenworcel said.
Matters of international communications regulation and licensing will be the primary focuses of the standalone Office of International Affairs.
The reorganization is part of the FCC’s Space Innovation agenda to speed up regulatory review processes, expand the satellite broadband services industry and modernize spectrum policy.
Rosenworcel announced plans to reorganize FCC in November 2022.
As a next step, the agency will seek approval from Congress to formalize the planned reorganization.