The FCC has adopted a Report and Order modifying the Commission’s existing methodology of assessing regulatory fees for space and earth stations. Specifically, the Commission will assess regulatory fees on stations once they are authorized, rather than when the stations are certified to be operational, as is currently the case. Additionally, the Commission has eliminated the existing regulatory fee categories for Space Stations (Non-Geostationary Orbit) and created two new fee categories: (1) small constellations (fewer than 1,000 authorized space stations); and (2) large constellations (1,000 authorized space stations or more). These changes will be effective for the fiscal year 2025 assessment and collection of regulatory fees.
