From PCMAG · Michael Kan · · 1m 10s
FCC Approves SpaceX Spectrum Deal for Starlink Mobile
FCC lets SpaceX acquire more spectrum for Starlink Mobile without auction.
In brief
FCC lets SpaceX acquire more spectrum for Starlink Mobile without auction. FCC approved SpaceX to take over spectrum licenses from Tristar License Group for Starlink Mobile service without auction. Originally reported by PCMAG.
FCC approves SpaceX spectrum deal
FCC cleared SpaceX to take over three spectrum licenses from Mississippi-based Tristar License Group for Starlink Mobile service.
“The licenses at issue will help enable spacex to assemble a geographically contiguous footprint of aws-3 spectrum for 5g, direct-to-device, or a hybrid of both”
Spectrum covers 62 counties
Licenses cover 5MHz in the 1695 to 1700MHz bands for uplink only across 62 counties in eight states including Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Tristar's original plan
Tristar originally planned to use the licenses with EchoStar's 5G network for terrestrial wireless service but EchoStar ended carrier ambitions last year.
FCC waives tower requirements
FCC waived requirement to build cell towers for the spectrum, enabling SpaceX to use only orbiting satellites for Starlink Mobile.
Starlink Mobile coverage plan
SpaceX wants to use cell towers, femtocells, and satellites for Starlink Mobile to cover remote areas and dense urban areas.
Uplink benchmarks by 2029
FCC requires SpaceX to hit uplink benchmarks on the spectrum starting in November 2029 to keep it accountable.
The short version
FCC approved SpaceX to take over spectrum licenses from Tristar License Group for Starlink Mobile service without auction.
