Starlink gets green light from FCC for satellite phone service • The Register

Although the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave Starlink conditional approval for satellite-based direct-to-cell phone service, it has put on hold an application to operate at signal strengths above allowable limits.

SpaceX’s satellite operations business can operate its constellation of Gen2 satellites in the relevant frequency bands for what the FCC calls Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS), according to the U.S. communications regulator.

In the case of Starlink, this means parts of the PCS G block (1915 MHz for Earth-Space and 1990-1995 MHz for Space-Earth). This is spectrum that was allocated to T-Mobile US, Starlink’s terrestrial mobile network partner, and which the company plans to use to operate its direct-to-cell service.

The approval is conditional on SpaceX’s SCS operations not causing harmful interference to other services operating in the relevant bands.

SpaceX and T-Mobile announced their agreement back in 2022, and Starlink began promoting its direct-to-cell service the following year, saying it expected to offer text messaging “starting in 2024,” with voice in 2025 – and data functions would be added.

The idea behind SCS is to allow Starlink to offer service to T-Mobile customers in parts of the U.S. not covered by the telco’s cell towers, effectively making the satellite operator a network roaming service for T-Mobile customers. user will. Coverage is expected to include the entire continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a speech last month that integrating satellite and terrestrial networks would eliminate dead spots in network coverage and boasted that her agency was the first regulator to create a policy framework to make this possible.

This is believed to be the first such approval to operate a commercial SCS, although the FCC has temporarily allowed SpaceX and T-Mobile to cover areas hit by Hurricane Helene last month. Other satellite providers such as AST SpaceMobile are also preparing their own services.

However, the FCC has deferred consideration of a request from SpaceX to waive the aggregate out-of-band power flux density (PFD) limit of -120 dBW/m2/MHz for its SCS frequency emissions.

This power limit was set by the FCC itself as part of its policy framework to minimize interference between satellite signals and adjacent frequency bands used by other services.

SpaceX previously insisted that Starlink would not be able to successfully operate its planned direct-to-cell service unless it was allowed to exceed that limit, which is why it requested a waiver.

The issue is fueling a dispute between SpaceX and U.S. telecommunications companies Verizon and AT&T, both of which have filed documents with the FCC asking it to reject the repeal request because it threatens to disrupt existing wireless services.

Verizon and AT&T have teamed up with rival orbital operator AST SpaceMobile to offer direct-to-cell services to their own subscribers, prompting David Goldman, vice president of satellite policy at SpaceX, to dub AST and its partners “meme stock.” Designating competitors who conducted a “scorched” campaign is intended to hinder competing direct-to-cellular operations.

Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Bill Ray previously said this The Register Although there are legitimate concerns about impairment, these are also used to suppress competition.

“The problem is that no one has ever done this before, so no one knows how bad (or how harmless) the disorder might be,” Ray said.

It’s not clear whether the FCC’s decision not to allow signal strength waivers at this time will impact Starlink’s plans to operate its direct-to-cell service. We’ve reached out to SpaceX for comment.

In addition, the FCC also deferred SpaceX’s application to deploy additional second-generation Starlink satellites beyond the 7,500 satellites already approved. The company wants to deploy an additional 22,488 units, including those intended for use in the 340, 345, 350 and 360 km orbital missiles.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been named by President-elect Trump to head his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after the inauguration next year. ®