FCC allows a power boost for SpaceX’s direct-to-smartphone service

SpaceX secured permission March 7 to provide direct-to-smartphone satellite services at higher power levels to improve connectivity beyond the reach of cell towers across the United States.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said it is allowing SpaceX to emit more power into spectrum bands adjacent to its partner T-Mobile’s frequencies, provided it does not interfere with other networks following concerns from rival telcos.

This conditional approval follows the FCC’s November decision allowing SpaceX to use T-Mobile’s cellular frequencies on up to 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites for Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS).

At the time, the FCC postponed a decision on whether to let these satellites operate at higher power levels — an upgrade paving the way for services to expand beyond SOS and texting to support real-time voice and video calls.

Companies such as Verizon and AT&T, which have partnered with direct-to-smartphone startup AST SpaceMobile, warned that increased emissions could degrade the performance of terrestrial mobile networks in the United States and create interference risks.

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