SpaceX has received conditional approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use its Starlink broadband satellites in partnership with T-Mobile to provide connectivity to smartphone users in areas with poor cellular coverage.
The FCC's decision allows SpaceX to operate up to 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites using T-Mobile's cellular frequencies, as long as they do not interfere with existing networks. This approval comes at a time when reliable communication services are crucial, especially in areas prone to natural disasters.
SpaceX currently has over 2,600 Gen2 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, with around 320 capable of supporting direct-to-smartphone services. SpaceX aims to launch essential texting services within the year. However, the FCC has not yet decided whether to allow these satellites to increase their radio emission power, which SpaceX argues is necessary for enhanced bandwidth capabilities.
The FCC's conditional approval follows the establishment of a new regulatory framework for Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) services. Under this framework, SCS is classified as a secondary service, meaning operators must cease operations if they interfere with primary rights holders.
The FCC has also allowed SpaceX to deploy its Gen2 spacecraft at lower altitudes to decrease latency and improve the user experience. However, this lower altitude operation requires coordination with NASA to protect ongoing missions.
The FCC's decision has faced opposition from other satellite operators, including EchoStar and Amazon's Project Kuiper, who have raised concerns about potential interference.
SpaceX was granted a temporary license to provide emergency connectivity in Florida and North Carolina after hurricanes disrupted terrestrial cell towers. The space-based service successfully broadcast Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and facilitated the sending and receiving of SMS messages during the crisis.
The partnership between SpaceX and T-Mobile is seen as a pioneering step in satellite-terrestrial collaborations, with potential for expansion into international markets. The FCC's commitment to fostering competition in the space economy aligns with the trend towards a "Single Network Future" that aims to eliminate mobile dead zones and enhance global connectivity.
SpaceX already has partnerships with international carriers like Rogers in Canada and KDDI in Japan.