Volume 39 | February 2022
Member Benefit Alert
www.sbca.org
Member Benefit! SBCA Insurance Program
Members of the SBCA have unique insurance needs. Our insurance program understands these needs and can provide members with access to innovative, industry specific insurance products and coverage at an affordable cost.
President's Report
As we enter into the new year, SBCA would like to reflect on our accomplishments in navigating a challenging 2021 and highlight some of the initiatives we will be focused on this year.

The Association's focus on state and local advocacy has required SBCA to create a robust tracking and monitoring service which allows us to identify legislative issues that may impact our industry. On a daily basis, SBCA staff track hundreds of bills that are introduced throughout the country. We are focused on many key items including, taxation, data security, broadband, licensing, COVID and many of other key items which are of importance to our members. This information allows us to be proactive in our outreach efforts.
 
One of the main items we remain focused on is preventing discriminatory satellite taxes which directly impact our customers. Over the last decade, we have successfully prevented harmful legislation which would have been detrimental to our industry.
Hughes Shares Ideas for Disaster Preparation
Profile Provided by HughesNet

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an innovator in satellite and multi-transport technologies and networks for over 50 years, provides broadband equipment and services; managed services featuring smart, software-defined networking; and end-to-end network operation for millions of consumers, businesses, governments and communities worldwide. The company also supplies essential connectivity to families, business owners and first responders who need to communicate in times of disaster – such as in the aftermath of a hurricane or winter storm.

While you can’t predict exactly when or where a disaster will strike, you can take necessary precautions to mitigate its impact and maintain business continuity. Hughes offers SBCA members some suggestions to help prepare for an unexpected business disruption:
Invest in a backup solution - Implement a network backup solution to supplement your primary Internet service. An internet failover solution, like HughesNet® Internet Continuity, delivers seamless backup service that keeps your operations up when your primary service goes down.
Boost your supply kit – Check that your disaster supply kit is current and includes flashlights, batteries, non-perishable goods and a first aid kit. Consider adding a backup power generator.
Establish an emergency plan - Develop and practice executing business continuity and disaster response plans with your staff so everyone is ready to act in the event of an emergency.
Ensure critical information is accessible - Make sure contact details for employees, vendors and clients -- as well as emergency services -- are saved to the cloud or accessible from any location. Back up important documentation, including passwords, tax and accounting information, insurance coverage and other essential documents.

Ultimately, any disaster response plan is impossible to execute without reliable communications. When cell phone towers are damaged and terrestrial networks are flooded, satellite delivers the continuous connectivity needed to resume normal business operations.
House Bills Look to Update FCC Satellite Licensing
Article via SmartBrief

TAMPA, Fla. — The top Democrat and Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced a bipartisan effort Feb. 11 to update satellite licensing rules for the rapidly changing space industry.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.) and the ranking member, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), released drafts of two bills they say will better equip the Federal Communications Commission for regulating a surge of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites.