A Boeing proposal for using V-band (40 to 75 GHz) to provide broadband internet access is circulating among FCC Commissioners for a vote. The satellite operator seeks approval to launch and operate 147 satellites, according to Reuters. The constellation would employ low earth orbit and highly inclined non-geostationary orbit satellites.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX urged the Commission to squash the plan in 2019, claiming it presented a “clear danger of harmful interference” to other systems. SpaceX urged the FCC to at least impose conditions to ensure that “Boeing’s operations do not harm those of other” operators.
Boeing declined comment on the application circulated for a vote by Acting FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel on Thursday. In 2018, the same year Boeing submitted its application, the FCC authorized requests to provide satellite broadband services from Kepler Communications, Telesat Canada, and LeoSat.
While extremely costly to deploy, satellite technology can provide high-speed internet for people who live in rural or hard-to-serve places where fiber optic cables and cell towers do not reach, according to supporters. The technology could also be a backstop when hurricanes or other natural disasters disrupt communication.
In April, the agency voted to approve a SpaceX plan to deploy 2,824 Starlink satellites at a lower earth orbit than planned as part of its push to offer space-based broadband internet, Inside Towers reported. At the time, the FCC said SpaceX agreed to accept that its lower-altitude satellites may encounter interference from satellites deployed under Amazon’s Kuiper Systems satellite project. SpaceX plans to eventually deploy 12,000 total satellites.
In July, Amazon said it would invest more than $10 billion to build a network of 3,236 low-earth orbit satellites. That’s roughly the same cost SpaceX says it will pay for its Starlink constellation, noted Reuters.
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