GSO & NGSO Surety Bond (FCC-Compliant Satellite and Space Station Bonds)

We offer highly-creditworthy surety companies and fully compliant surety bonds for licensees of both Geostationary Satellite Orbit (GSO) and Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) space stations. If you have been granted a space station license by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), you are required to post a surety bond in accordance with 47 CFR §25.165. These bonds guarantee the licensee’s performance and ensure compliance with the FCC’s construction and launch milestone requirements. Failure to post the bond in the required time-frame will automatically render the license null and void, making timely compliance critical.

For GSO operators, the required bond amount is calculated as $1,000,000 plus $2,000,000 multiplied by D/1827, where “D” represents the lesser of 1827 days or the number of days from the license grant date to the date the license is surrendered. For NGSO operators, the calculation is $1,000,000 plus $4,000,000 multiplied by D/2192, with the same rule for determining “D.” In both cases, the amount must be rounded to the nearest $10,000. The bond must be backed by a surety company approved under 31 U.S.C. § 9304 and must name the U.S. Treasury as beneficiary. Posting deadlines are strict: most licensees must file within 30 days of the license grant, while systems authorized under the streamlined §25.122 or §25.123 procedures have one year plus 30 days.

Surety One, Inc. guarantees that every GSO and NGSO surety bond we issue meets all FCC specifications, including accurate bond amount calculations, proper beneficiary designation, and compliance with the approved surety list. Our process is straightforward. Provide your license grant date (and surrender date if known), organizational chart and current audited financial statement. Our surety underwriting team will calculate your exact bond amount, quote you, prepare the FCC-approved bond form, execute and e-delivery without delay.

Partnering with Surety One, Inc. offers significant advantages. We streamline the compliance process, ensure precise adherence to FCC regulations, and work quickly to meet the narrow posting windows. The depth and breadth of our understanding of FCC space station and satellite requirements means you avoid costly errors or delays that could jeopardize your license. Once the FCC confirms that you have met your milestone obligations under §25.164, you may be relieved of the bond requirement. We can assist you with that process as well.

If you are preparing to launch or operate a space station and require a GSO or NGSO surety bond, reach out at (800) 373-2804, email Underwriting@SuretyOne.com or click here for a live chat with a bond underwriter. Our experienced bonding team will guide you through every step, from calculation to filing, ensuring your compliance with CFRs and protecting your ability to operate under your FCC license.

Surety bond application review and quoting are free of charge. There is no obligation to purchase.

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