SpaceX has secured permission from the FCC to provide direct-to-smartphone satellite services at higher power levels to supplement cell coverage across the United States. The agency okayed the power boost in the spectrum bands adjacent to its partner T-Mobile’s (NASDAQ: TMUS) frequencies, provided it does not interfere with other networks following concerns from rival telcos, reports SpaceNews.
The conditional approval follows the agency’s November vote allowing SpaceX to use T-Mobile’s cellular frequencies on up to 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites for Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS). At the time, the FCC postponed a decision on whether to let these satellites operate at higher power levels — an upgrade paving the way for services to expand beyond SOS and texting to support real-time voice and video calls.
Companies such as Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and AT&T (NYSE: T), which have partnered with direct-to-smartphone startup AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS), warned that increased emissions could degrade the performance of terrestrial mobile networks in the United States and create interference risks, notes reports SpaceNews.
SpaceX pointed to technical studies showing that increased power levels remained within safe interference thresholds. It argued that relaxing power limits is essential for delivering reliable emergency communications and expanding mobile coverage to underserved areas.
In its ruling, the FCC determined that SpaceX’s proposed power levels were justified and not likely to cause harmful interference, notes PCMag. “SCS [supplemental coverage from space] service is at a nascent stage of development, and we find that strict application of the rule risks hindering the widespread deployment of this particular SCS network,” the FCC wrote.
The cellular Starlink system can only operate beyond the radio limits within “the 5 MHz band segments immediately adjacent to the PCS G Block (1900 MHz Block) in which SpaceX is operating,” the Commission said.
The direct-to-smartphone service is currently in a free beta testing phase open to all U.S. carriers until July. After that, rival carriers and some T-Mobile plans will require a monthly fee for access, Inside Towers reported.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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