Broadband Breakfast on March 19, 2025 - Spectrum and the Opportunities for LEO Satellite Broadband

Highlight Reel

Full Video

As the demand for global connectivity rises, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband is emerging as a powerful solution to bridge the digital divide. However, securing the necessary spectrum for LEO operations is a key challenge. With new technological advancements and regulatory shifts, how will spectrum allocation impact the future of satellite broadband? Can LEO satellites successfully complement terrestrial networks, or will they face roadblocks in terms of competition and spectrum availability? 

Keynote

• Jay Schwarz, Chief, Space Bureau, Federal Communications Commission

Panelists

• Peter Davidson, Vice President, Global Government Affairs and Policy, Intelsat
• Madeleine Chang, Director of Policy, Satellite Industry Association
• Mark Jamison, Nonresident Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
• Chris DePree, Deputy Spectrum Manager, National Radio Astronomy Observatory
• Drew Clark (moderator), CEO and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

FCC Space Bureau Chief Highlights Role of LEO Satellites in Broadband Expansion

Bureau Chief Jay Schwarz outlined two key priorities: Modernizing licensing systems and ensuring adequate spectrum.

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Panelist Resources

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Jay Schwarz recently rejoined the FCC as Chief of the Space Bureau. Before rejoining the FCC, he served as Vice President of Public Policy at Comcast, focusing on broadband policy. Previously at the FCC he was Wireline Advisor to former Chairman Ajit Pai and held positions within the Wireline Competition Bureau, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and the Office of Strategic Planning. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh and an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Peter B. Davidson has served as the VP of Global Government Relations and Policy at Intelsat since August of 2020. Prior to that he served as Deputy Dean for Strategic Initiatives at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce, SVP of Government Affairs at Verizon Communications, General Counsel of the U.S. Trade Representative, VP Government Affairs at USWEST and Qwest, General Counsel and Policy Director for the Majority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives, and Attorney-Advisor in the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice.  He is a native Minnesotan, and graduate of Carleton College and the University of Virginia School of Law.  

Madeleine Chang supports SIA’s legislative advocacy and regulatory work on spectrum, broadband connectivity, trade, cybersecurity and other key policy areas that are of critical importance to the commercial satellite industry. Prior to joining SIA, she was Horizon Fellow with the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC, where her research focused on threats to space systems and the commercial remote sensing marketplace. Earlier, as a software engineer with Lockheed Martin, she developed satellite software for national security projects contracted by U.S. government customers.

Mark Jamison is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he works on how technology affects the economy, and on telecommunications and Federal Communications Commission issues. He is concurrently the director and Gunter Professor of the Public Utility Research Center at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business. Dr. Jamison has served on the FCC transition team for President-elect Trump, as a special adviser to the chair of the governor of Florida’s internet task force, and as president of the Transportation and Public Utilities Group. 

Chris De Pree is a radio astronomer, National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) staff scientist, NRAO Deputy Spectrum Manager and Project Director of the National Radio Dynamic Zone (NRDZ) Project for NRAO. Before joining NRAO in 2021, he spent 25 years as a Professor of Astronomy at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, GA. He is the author of several popular science books, including Astronomical Mindfulness (2022) and Idiot's Guides: The Cosmos (2014).

Breakfast Media LLC CEO Drew Clark has led the Broadband Breakfast community since 2008. An early proponent of better broadband, better lives, he initially founded the Broadband Census crowdsourcing tool to collect and verify broadband data left unpublished by the Federal Communications Commission. As CEO and Publisher, Clark presides over the leading media community advocating for higher-capacity internet everywhere through topical, timely and intelligent coverage. Clark also served as head of the Partnership for a Connected Illinois, a state broadband initiative.