Boeing, NGSO Operators Clash Over Greg Wyler's OneWeb Control
Boeing remains at odds with other satellite operators about how to read the Section 25.159 of FCC rules for the controlling interest standard. Satellite operators opposing Boeing's transfer of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite applications to Greg Wyler's SOM1101 argue Wyler…
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has control over OneWeb because he's a member of OneWeb's board, but that runs against a "common sense reading" of rules, Boeing said in an International Bureau proceeding letter posted Wednesday. It said adopting opponents' read the section could lead to "ripple effects" throughout telco and satellite industries in cases where executives sit on other company boards. Boeing said its initial applications were legitimate and not filed for spectrum warehousing or speculation purposes, and the burden is on objectors to prove otherwise. Iridium, Telesat Canada, O3b and SpaceX earlier this month (see here, here, here and here) argued 25.159 said individual directors were attributable interest holders under the multiple-ownership rule and thus OneWeb Chairman Wyler holds attributable interest in that company and its NGSO systems, as well as owning SOM1101. O3b said the FCC should deny the Boeing-to-SOM1101 amendments and dismiss Boeing's NGSO system applications in question since the company has no interest in pursuing them. SOM1101 and Boeing disagree with other satellite companies over the issue of Wyler's control of OneWeb (see 1803010006).