The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moved forward on a plan to carve out a separate organisation to better support the growing satellite industry after unanimous approval by Commissioners.

A proposal to establish the Space Bureau and a standalone Office of International Affairs was made by the FCC late in 2022 by eliminating the regulator’s International Bureau.

In a statement issued on 9 January, the FCC explained the Office of International Affairs will focus on global communications regulation and licensing.

The Space Bureau “will better support the needs of the growing satellite industry, promote long-term technical capacity at the FCC and help the agency navigate” the latest “global communications policy”.

It will address non-government satellite programs and improve coordination with other agencies on issues related to space.

FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel noted the regulatory frameworks for licensing the satellite industry have not kept up with fast growth.

The regulator added the next step will be to seek government and other necessary approvals for the reorganisation.

It explained the move is the latest in a space-based agenda which also involved taking action to speed up regulatory review processes, increase the size of its satellite division, foster new opportunities for competition in delivering satellite broadband services and modernising spectrum policy.

The FCC previously also proposed new rules for de-orbiting satellites to tackle debris.