SpaceX
FCC allows SpaceX and T-Mobile to launch Direct to Cell commercial services
Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has authorized SpaceX and T-Mobile with a commercial license to launch Direct to Cell satellite services from space.
Direct to Cell satellite provides connectivity for smartphones and other devices without special modifications or software upgrades. SpaceX has partnered with T-Mobile, a wireless network operator, to launch these services.
The company has also completed the required Direct to Cell satellite deployment with a recent Falcon 9 mission and now has a sufficient count in orbit.
Both partners have already tested the text and video calling with direct to cell and the next step is to bring these services to consumers.
The @FCC approving the @Starlink and @TMobile Direct to Cell service in the US is a huge and critical step towards enabling ubiquitous high quality text, data, emergency, and eventually voice connectivity in the US and internationally. Congrats to the teams working on this for… https://t.co/5Cq1SFXr2v
— Sara Spangelo (@sara_spangelo) November 26, 2024
Below you can check the full introduction of the key details for this FAA authorization.
“In this Order and Authorization (Order), we grant in part and defer in part, with conditions, the application, as amended, of Space Exploration Holdings, LLC (SpaceX) to construct, deploy, and operate a constellation of second-generation non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) fixed-satellite service (FSS) satellites, known as its Gen2 Starlink constellation (SpaceX Gen2 Application, as amended).
We also grant in part and defer in part, with conditions, SpaceX’s modification application, as amended, to provide Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) within the United States and to operate on certain frequency bands for the purpose of performing direct-to-cellular (direct-to-cell) operations outside the United States using its previously authorized 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites (SpaceX SCS Modification Application and SpaceX SCS Modification Amendment) and grant SpaceX’s modification application to operate using V-band frequencies at altitudes ranging from 340 km to 360 km (SpaceX V band Modification Application).
Specifically, we authorize SpaceX to operate its previously authorized 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites at the previously proposed altitudes of 340 km, 345 km, 350 km, and 360 km. SpaceX is authorized to communicate with these satellites in the previously authorized Ku-, Ka-, E-, and V-band frequencies, in conformance with the technical specifications SpaceX has provided to the Commission,” wrote FCC in an authorization document.