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NEWS
Federal Communications Commission

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

December 28, 2012

Justin Cole, 202-210-2437
Email: justin.cole@fcc.gov

FCC ADOPTS RULES TO PROMOTE DEPLOYMENT OF INTERNET SERVICES ONBOARD 

AIRCRAFT

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Report and Order 
establishing rules to help speed the deployment of Internet services onboard aircraft. The Commission’s 
action enables broadband providers to meet increasing consumer demands and promotes the economic 
growth and job-creating impacts of ubiquitous broadband. This action also continues the FCC’s efforts to 
update and streamline regulatory requirements across the agency.
Since 2001, the Commission has authorized a number of companies, on an ad hoc basis, to operate Earth 
Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA), i.e., earth stations on aircraft communicating with Fixed-Satellite 
Service (FSS) geostationary-orbit (GSO) space stations.  Installed on the exterior of the aircraft, the 
satellite antenna carries the signal to and from the aircraft, providing two-way, in-flight broadband 
services to passengers and flight crews. The Report and Order formalizes ESAA as a licensed application 
in the FSS and establishes a regulatory framework for processing applications while ensuring other radio 
service operations are protected from harmful interference. Rather than have to license on-board systems 
on an ad hoc basis, airlines will be able test systems that meet FCC standards, establish that they do not 
interfere with aircraft systems, and get FAA approval.
By reducing administrative burdens on both applicants and the Commission, the new rules should allow 
the Commission to process ESAA applications up to 50 percent faster, enhancing competition in an 
important sector of the mobile telecommunications market in the United States and promoting the 
widespread availability of Internet access to aircraft passengers.
Action by the Commission, December 20, 2012, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Report and 
Order (FCC 12-161). Separate statement issued by Chairman Genachowski.
IB Docket No.: 12-376
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