FCC Weighs Satellite-to-Phone Access to Spectrum Used by Carriers

Technology · First reported 30 Oct, 19:03 · Updated 20:23

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

SpaceX and major wireless carriers disagree over whether satellite-to-phone service can share licensed spectrum with existing 5G networks. The FCC has not ruled on the proposed expansion.

SpaceX wants the FCC’s Supplemental Coverage from Space framework to allow satellite operators to use licensed spectrum for direct-to-phone connectivity.
T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon argue that satellite signals could interfere with existing 5G networks; CTIA asked the FCC to exclude two contested bands from the framework.
The FCC must assess whether enforceable technical limits can allow the services to coexist; it has not issued a ruling on this expansion proposal.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

Framework: The proposed Supplemental Coverage from Space framework covers roughly 482 MHz of spectrum.
Contested spectrum: The 2.5 GHz and 3.45 GHz bands account for 290 MHz of the proposed total.
Carriers’ request: CTIA urged the FCC to remove both contested bands from the framework.
FCC status: No ruling on this particular expansion proposal has been issued.