In comments that will form the basis of the FCC’s fourth report to Congress on the state of competition in the satellite sector, operators of satellite networks cited barriers put up by foreign governments and a dearth of launch options as two ongoing problems that continue to impact providers in an otherwise competitive market. Meanwhile, companies that purchase wholesale satellite network capacity for resale lamented the state of competition. Filed on Monday, the industry comments respond to an FCC request for information on conditions in the market for domestic and international satellite communications services. In seeking data for its report, the FCC asked for input on various industry sectors that include manufacturers of earth station equipment, launch services, and video and network services. Comment was also sought on the use of spectrum and orbital locations. While testifying that “the number of commercial satellite operators and satellites is increasing” and “competitive service offerings between fixed satellite service and mobile satellite service providers are becoming commonplace,” the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) told the FCC that discriminatory policies and other barriers put up by some foreign governments continue to strain competition on an international scale. According to SIA, one complication is the fact that “many foreign satellite competitors are government-owned and/or subsidized and compete directly with privately-financed commercial satellite companies.” In a joint filing, EchoStar, Intelsat Global, SES World Skies, and Telesat Canada noted that satellite network operators “currently have very limited options for choosing a launch service provider,” as “government launches take priority over commercial launches” in the U.S. and as U.S. regulation of satellites pursuant to International Traffic In Arms Restrictions “forecloses access to Chinese launch services except with hard-to-win Presidential approval.” Iridium urged the FCC to “ensure that its licensees are able to obtain access in foreign markets.” Spacenet—a reseller of satellite capacity—stated that “various satellite services sectors identified . . . are not uniformly subject to ‘effective competition.’” CapRock Communications added that the agency should bar network operators from enforcing policies that require resellers to purchase pre-determined bundles of space segment capacity.