The Federal Communications Commission has denied SpaceX’s request to tap the 1.6/2.4GHz radio spectrum used by Globalstar for its satellite services, including Apple iPhones.
The denial is part of the FCC’s Thursday order SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile and Amazon-Globalstar intend to set clear rules for how companies use the radio spectrum to power satellite-phone services, a market that is rapidly expanding. Satellite industry analyst Tim Farrar concluded The FCC’s order “telling everyone to stay in their lane.”
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The FCC itself he added: “Notably, the Space Bureau issued a ruling affirming the exclusive rights of existing licensees to use certain D2D (direct-to-device) spectrum bands, rejecting requests from multiple operators to access the same bands.”
There is SpaceX long Any access to 1.6/2.4GHz bands to boost satellite-to-phone service on Starlink Mobile. But in 2007, only Globalstar and Iridium were given exclusive access to the spectrum. SpaceX has been argues the radio can share its radio output with Globalstar without interference. But in Thursday’s order, the Commission said it “finds no policy or public interest reason to reconsider the existing licensing framework.”
The FCC noted that it initially granted Globalstar and Iridium exclusive access to the groups to provide regulatory “certainty and stability.” The commission further pointed to how Globalstar has since invested in building satellite services to power emergency messaging for Apple iPhones.
“Given the ubiquitous and portable nature of MSS (mobile satellite services), including mobile devices, and the use of omnidirectional antennas, there are significant harmful interference issues for existing users in permitting additional use of these bands,” the FCC added.
Similarly, the Commission also denied SpaceX’s request to use the 1.5/1.6GHz bands that Ligado Networks has allowed it to use.
However, SpaceX saw a positive development in a spectrum battle. The FCC denied rival AST SpaceMobile’s request to use SpaceX’s 2.0 and 2.1 GHz spectrum. to get From EchoStar for US and international use. AST, which is also developing its own satellite-to-phone service, has offered to share spectrum outside the US. But SpaceX urged the FCC to deny the request, saying AST’s proposal would create harmful interference and violate Commission precedent on spectrum use.
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“The Commission has made clear that a request for an international mobile satellite service (“MSS”) authorization will be granted only if the applicant already has a US authorization for the same spectrum,” SpaceX told the FCC last month.
In denying AST’s request, the FCC order stated, “Consistent with our internal policy and to ensure that the US 2 GHz spectrum licensee has a fair opportunity to compete in the global MSS market, we also decline to consider any additional US commercial systems for international operations in the 2 GHz band.”
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr commented positively on the order. “We’re taking important action this week to give this exciting industry the clarity it needs to build satellite systems and invest in spectrum with confidence. And we’re just getting started,” he said, noting that the FCC is preparing more action to “top-up” satellite-to-phone services.
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Michael Kahn
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I have been a journalist for more than 15 years. I started as a school and city reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017, covering satellite internet services, cybersecurity, computer hardware, and more. I currently live in San Francisco, but previously spent over five years in China covering the country’s technology sector.
Since 2020, I’ve covered the launch and explosive growth of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, writing more than 600 stories on availability and feature launches, as well as regulatory battles over expanding satellite constellations, battles with rival providers like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon, and efforts to expand into mobile satellite-based service. I scoured FCC filings for the latest news and traveled to the far reaches of California to test Starlink’s cell service.
I also cover cyber threats, from ransomware gangs to the emergence of AI-based malware. in 2024 and 2025 The FTC forced Avast to pay $16.5 million for secretly collecting consumers’ personal information and selling it to third-party clients, as revealed in my joint disclosure investigation with the motherboard.
I also cover the PC graphics card market. Disadvantages during the pandemic he took me to the camp In front of Best Buy to get the RTX 3000. Now I’m watching how AI-based memory shortages affect the entire consumer electronics market. I’m always eager to learn more, so please leave feedback in the comments and send me tips.
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