Federal Communications Commission Satellite Programs & Technology Commercial Space Industry (New Space)

FCC approves SpaceX’s 15,000-satellite direct-to-device constellation

The Federal Communications Commission authorized SpaceX to deploy up to 15,000 non-geostationary satellites for direct-to-device services, using mobile-satellite spectrum that includes former EchoStar frequencies. The approval covers service to ordinary mobile phones in the United States and abroad, though some requested terms were deferred and U.S. service remains contingent on completion of the spectrum deal.

Discovered 2026-10-07T09:15:19.764312-07:00 | 2026-10-07T09:15:19.764312-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

The authorization gives SpaceX regulatory clearance for a large-scale satellite-to-cellular network, expanding the commercial use of satellite capacity for connectivity beyond traditional satellite terminals.
The FCC deferred some requested terms, and U.S. service must await completion of the spectrum transaction, leaving key implementation conditions unresolved.

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