SpaceX announced two major developments for Starlink Mobile, including an agreement to acquire a nationwide low-band spectrum portfolio and Federal Communications Commission approval for a next-generation satellite constellation designed for direct-to-device service.
The company agreed to acquire licenses covering up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band.
SpaceX said the low-band spectrum addresses an important technical requirement for turning Starlink Mobile into a more comprehensive mobile network in the United States.
Subject to final FCC approval of the spectrum transaction, SpaceX plans to combine its satellite-to-mobile network with terrestrial wireless infrastructure.
The resulting architecture is intended to allow compatible devices to move between satellite and terrestrial coverage while remaining connected across a wider range of environments.
Starlink Mobile already plans to use global 2 GHz mid-band spectrum to provide higher-capacity service.
The newly acquired 800 MHz spectrum would provide an additional low-band coverage layer.
Low-band frequencies can travel farther and penetrate buildings and other physical obstacles more effectively than higher-frequency spectrum.
SpaceX said most existing mobile devices already support the 800 MHz band, which could simplify deployment and allow the network to serve standard consumer devices without requiring specialized hardware.
The company envisions combining the low-band spectrum with its Gen2 Starlink Mobile satellite constellation to create a network capable of supporting customers indoors, outdoors, in traditional cellular dead zones, and in remote areas.
SpaceX said the architecture would make Starlink Mobile the first network operator to deploy satellite and terrestrial spectrum as part of a unified mobile network.
The announcement follows SpaceX’s continued expansion of Starlink, which already provides satellite broadband services to millions of customers in the United States and other countries.
Separately, the FCC approved SpaceX’s application for its next-generation Starlink Mobile constellation.
The authorization allows SpaceX to launch as many as 15,000 satellites optimized to use 2 GHz spectrum globally.
The V2 Starlink Mobile satellites are expected to provide more than 100 times the bandwidth of the company’s current generation of direct-to-device satellites.
SpaceX said the increased capacity is intended to support high-speed service directly to unmodified mobile devices worldwide.
The FCC also authorized the full range of backhaul frequencies in the Ka, V, E, and W bands used by SpaceX’s V3 broadband satellites.
That authorization will allow those satellites to operate with Starlink’s existing gateway network.
SpaceX said the combination of additional satellite capacity, mid-band spectrum, low-band spectrum, and terrestrial infrastructure is intended to create a more resilient mobile network spanning dense cities, rural areas, and regions where conventional cellular coverage remains limited.
KEY QUOTES:
“With this new low-band spectrum and our Gen2 constellation, Starlink Mobile can now become the first network operator to deploy both satellite and terrestrial spectrum. One network that provides Americans with a reliable service indoors, outdoors, in cellular dead zones, and everywhere in between.”
“The V2 Starlink Mobile satellites will deliver more than 100 times the bandwidth of our current generation, bringing high-speed service directly to unmodified devices anywhere in the world.”
“From dense cities to the most remote and rural communities, this next-generation service will keep Americans connected no matter where they are.”
SpaceX statement
