Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Denver news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Des Moines news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Minneapolis-St. Paul news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Tampa Bay news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Charlotte news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
A SpaceX launch earlier this year. Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Wednesday he would ask the commission to vote to approve SpaceX's plan to use satellites to beam broadband around the world. "If adopted, it would be the first approval given to an American-based company to provide broadband services using a new generation of low-Earth orbit satellite technologies," he said in a statement.
Why it matters: Many rural areas already rely on satellite-powered internet service, and SpaceX sees an opportunity to provide fast connections without the equipment hassles of fiber-based service. The company wants to launch its first satellite for the program next year.