Elon Musk's SpaceX and T-Mobile Seek FCC Approval for a Trial of Starlink’s Satellite-to-Cellular Connectivity Service

SpaceX has applied for FCC approval to conduct a test of its cellular Starlink system, utilizing 840 satellites in partnership with T-Mobile. The company plans to initiate the 180-day experimental trial on December 10, spanning 13 locations across the United States. The test involves 2,000 devices and aims to leverage T-Mobile's licensed radio spectrum for satellite-to-cellular communication.

This application follows a previous filing in October, which faced opposition from AT&T and the Rural Wireless Association, asserting that SpaceX should have sought FCC approval through an experimental license via the Office of Engineering and Technology. The current application addresses those concerns by following the appropriate regulatory channels.

SpaceX commits to operating around 840 satellites with direct-to-cellular payloads during the trial, with approximately 60 satellites concurrently serving handsets in the U.S. To address potential interference concerns, the company assures the FCC that its system will not disrupt other licensed services and pledges to collaborate with T-Mobile to promptly rectify any issues that may arise.

The broader context reveals SpaceX's intention to launch the cellular Starlink service next year, with plans to operate a network of 7,500 satellites. Despite these ambitions, the FCC has not yet granted full authorization, citing concerns about potential interference with other carriers and satellite operators.

SpaceX emphasizes the importance of these tests in expediting the consumer benefits associated with the direct-to-cell technology. The company urges the FCC to approve the experimental license, asserting its commitment to addressing any issues responsibly and without causing harm to existing services in the designated frequency bands. The outcome of this regulatory approval will significantly influence the trajectory and deployment timeline of the cellular Starlink system, impacting the satellite communication landscape at large.