The Global Spectrum Fight That Could Define U.S. Satellite Leadership

We invite you to join us for a discussion about one of the most consequential—and least covered—regulatory fights shaping the future of U.S. commercial and technology leadership in space.

Next year, regulators from around the world will gather in Shanghai for the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27) to set the spectrum rules that will govern satellite communications for years to come. The outcome could determine whether U.S. operators like Starlink and Amazon Leo can scale, cut costs, and expand globally—or find themselves constrained by outdated rules and hostile proposals from Russia and Iran.

The webinar will highlight and discuss the satellite issues and outcomes that should be U.S. priorities at WRC-27 to best advance American economic interests and values.

Arpan Sura, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s senior counsel and satellite policy advisor, will lead off with a perspective from the Federal Communications Commission, which is central to U.S. preparations. A panel of satellite policy experts will follow to discuss the substance and strategy of advancing U.S. interests at WRC-27.

New America’s Wireless Future and ICLE will also release and summarize a new paper at the event that recommends positions on five satellite issues the U.S. should prioritize.

Key issues to be discussed include the outdated power limits on LEO transmissions that cap service capacity, and a Russia- and Iran-backed proposal that would let any country block satellite service from operators it hasn’t individually authorized.