By: Staff Writer
July 15, 2025
Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission of the United States, said at the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations’ (CANTO) 2025 annual conference being held at the Grand Hyatt, Baha Mar that the Trump administration has just recently restored the FCC spectrum auction authority and will be moving forward with a “robust” pipeline of spectrum.
Carr, said: “Just days ago, thanks to President Trump and our Congress working together, they restored the FCC spectrum auction authority, which had lapsed a couple of years ago. So now we have a robust pipeline of spectrum. We’re moving ahead with that.
“At the same time, the FCC has launched an effort to ensure spectrum abundance for satellite broadband over the next few years, we intend to work closely with our allies and partners in the region on spectrum harmonization for next generation terrestrial, mobile and satellite services.”
A spectrum auction is a process whereby a government uses an auction system to sell the rights to transmit signals over specific bands of the electromagnetic spectrum and to assign scarce spectrum resources.
The FCC has been working with Caribbean providers with regard to various spectrum occupancy studies and spectrum quality related issues. This news that there will be increased spectrum availability for providers from the US FCC will increase their capacity to broadcast.
Carr also said: “Regarding satellite broadband, SpaceX’s Starlink has already been a game changer for connecting the world’s hardest to serve areas, including remote islands. In fact, just last month, Dominica authorized Starlink service, joining 12 other countries and territories in the region.
“Just two weeks ago, Amazon’s project Kuiper successfully launched its second batch of satellites for broadband service. The FCC goal in all of this is to add rocket fuel to this trend towards new satellite constellations.”
Amazon deployed a constellation of satellites called Project Kuiper to provide global broadband internet access, particularly in underserved areas. The project aims to offer fast, reliable, and affordable internet service using a network of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit. The first Kuiper satellites were launched in April 2025, and commercial service is expected to begin by late this year. “Indeed, the FCC is speeding up and simplifying our satellite related processes to make it easier for companies to grow and for new players to get in the game,” said Carr.
He also said: “I think we can advance our shared goals by cutting the regulatory red tape that slows down broadband deployment and needlessly raises costs for providers. That’s why we’re pursuing a comprehensive deregulatory agenda at the FCC to replace heavy handed rules with smart, simple and light touch regulation.”