FCC Reg Fees NPRM Doesn't Contain Enough Information, Commenters Say

not provide companies subject to regulatory fees a meaningful basis on which to comment in this proceeding,” said the Satellite Industry Association. Satellite companies don't have the information they need to understand the fee calculation methodology, said Intelsat License and SES Americom. Satellite companies shouldn't be charged differently than other media industries, said America’s Communications Association and NCTA. “Once again, AT&T and DISH rely on flawed reasoning and discredited arguments to attempt to justify a regulatory fee schedule that would perpetuate the preferential treatment DBS operators receive over other MVPDs,” the cable groups said. “The NPRM does not explain significant changes in regulatory fees for both satellite and VHF television stations,” said NAB. The association said the NPRM contains insufficiently justified hikes for radio stations, based on flawed data. Hubbard Broadcasting said the satellite TV station increase is “contrary” to the FCC's historical treatment of satellite TV stations and will impose “an unwarranted burden” on broadcasters. Intelsat supported a proposal from NAB to apply regulatory fees to a wider swath of entities, including those that don't have licenses. CenturyLink disagreed with the SEA-US Licensees and the North American Submarine Cable Association which said the FCC shouldn't increase fees on the submarine cable industry. "Align submarine cable fees with the benefits provided to submarine cable operators from the Commission’s activities,” asked NASCA.