The FCC will vote on new policies later this month. | Image by FCC
The FCC wants to make an additional 482 MHz of spectrum available for Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) and make regulatory changes to make it easier for terrestrial and satellite operators to work together.
The Commission also aims to auction 25 MHz of mid-band spectrum in the 1675-1695 MHz and 2020-2025 MHz bands for both traditional networks and satellite companies.
The proposal will be voted on October 29.
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Lifting D2D
The main takeaway here is the FCC's interest in expanding spectrum availability to Direct-to-Device (D2D) operators. D2D allows smartphones to connect to satellites in space. To be clear, the FCC isn't auctioning off 482 MHz of spectrum. It's just making this chunk available for the D2D user.
According to Reuters, the FCC will also hold a vote on modernizing D2D rules.
SpaceX in the spotlight
While SpaceX isn't the only player in the D2D space, it's the only one actively providing service to a massive customer base. Not only does it launch the most rockets, but it also has the largest satellite network.
Amazon expects to launch satellite-powered internet service this year. A United Launch Alliance rocket deployed 29 satellites for the company in July, bringing the tally to over 390, which is enough for initial service.
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For comparison, SpaceX's first-gen constellation relies on 650 satellites.
Space race is heating up
Most customers might not be willing to give satellite operators a chance. | Image by TD Cowen
Of course, SpaceX is going a step further than only stepping in to plug coverage gaps. It plans to launch its own network to steal customers from legacy carriers.
All that, coupled with the spectrum SpaceX Starlink is buying from EchoStar, means that there is roughly 100 MHz headed toward D2D in the US in the next few years. And that doesn’t even account for the spectrum Amazon is buying via Globalstar, the spectrum Rocket Lab is buying through Iridium, or the spectrum Viasat and promised for D2D via its Equatys JV with Space42!
Mike Dano, Lead Industry Analyst at Ookla, October 2026
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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