From Hawaii to Maine, States Look to Regulate as LEO Reliability Improves
Monitoring and third-party data can be critical for regulatory compliance.
Monitoring and third-party data can be critical for regulatory compliance.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2025 – Officials and industry analysts said that state and tribal agencies are still determining how to regulate and monitor LEO satellites, as technical data show improving reliability and latency.
The discussion hosted by Ookla Industry Analyst Mike Dano, featured David Bresnahan, Senior Manager of Grants and Programs at the Maine Connectivity Authority; Jaren Tengan, Broadband Coordinator at the Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; and Armand Musey, President and Founder of Summit Ridge Group.
Together, they discussed how state regulators and policymakers are developing oversight approaches to address the unique challenges of satellite broadband.
Because of the impact that future plants pose to current ratepayers, state regulators want proof that proposed data centers will actually get built.
Supporters say the deal could expand broadband investment, onshore customer service jobs, and improve employee wages.
The company said it would seek a waiver to use the terrestrial spectrum for satellite service.
Verizon is asking Supreme Court to resolve a split between the D.C. and the Second Circuits, on the one hand, and the Fifth Circuit, on the other.
Member discussion