The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave SpaceX conditional approval on November 26 to leverage Starlink broadband satellites to enhance T-Mobile's network. This allows for connectivity in areas with limited or no cellular service across the United States.
SpaceX received permission to utilize T-Mobile’s cellular frequencies via up to 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites for Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS). This is contingent on ensuring no interference with other networks.
Of the over 2,600 Gen2 Starlink satellites currently in low Earth orbit, approximately 320 possess the capability for direct-to-smartphone communication. This is sufficient to initiate the texting services SpaceX announced for this year.
The FCC postponed decisions regarding increased radio emission power for these satellites—a necessity for higher bandwidth applications like voice and video calls, according to SpaceX. The FCC also deferred consideration for the remaining 22,488 satellites in SpaceX's planned Gen2 constellation.
However, the FCC permits SpaceX to operate Gen2 spacecraft at lower altitudes (340-360 kilometers, reduced from 525-535 kilometers) to minimize latency. This lower altitude operation requires coordination with NASA to safeguard the International Space Station and other missions.
SpaceX maintains approximately 4,100 Gen1 Starlink satellites in orbit, with authorization for up to 4,408, operating at 540-570 kilometers. Several satellite operators, including EchoStar, Omnispace, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, opposed SpaceX’s application due to interference concerns.
This conditional FCC approval follows the establishment of guidelines for SCS services in March. These regulations designate SCS as a secondary service to Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) providers using pre-approved frequencies. Any interference with a primary MSS provider or terrestrial telco mandates immediate SCS operational cessation.
The approval builds upon a temporary FCC license granted for emergency connectivity in Florida and North Carolina following Hurricanes Milton and Helene. T-Mobile utilized the space-based service to transmit 120 Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in Florida, including hurricane warnings and evacuation notices. “It also enabled over 100K SMS messages to be sent and received,” stated T-Mobile spokesperson Jai Ferguson.
While this is the initial FCC-approved satellite-terrestrial SCS collaboration, other companies, such as AST SpaceMobile (partnered with AT&T and Verizon), have pending applications. “This first-of-its-kind authorization is an exciting new development for the future of combined satellite and wireless communications,” noted FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel. “And it won’t be the last.”
The FCC approval positions SpaceX to offer direct-to-smartphone services internationally, in alignment with local regulations. Beyond T-Mobile, SpaceX has announced partnerships with Rogers (Canada), One NZ (New Zealand), KDDI (Japan), Optus (Australia), and Salt (Switzerland).