As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moves to modernize its framework to unlock more spectrum for SpaceX and other satellite operators, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have raised concerns about harmful interference. In a new filing, SpaceX addresses the issues raised by T-Mobile and CTIA.
SpaceX asks the FCC to reject recommendations from T-Mobile and the aviation industry
As if the FCC doesn't already seem partial to satellite players, SpaceX urged it to "reject technically unsound recommendations from the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC) and T-Mobile."
SpaceX noted that despite prior collaboration with operators like T-Mobile, incumbents are using outdated rules to block competitors. The company warned that these restrictions could leave underserved communities without direct-to-cell coverage.
SpaceX took a swipe at T-Mobile for defending antiquated rules without addressing existing inefficiencies.
T-Mobile is proposing a restrictive limit
T-Mobile proposed a strict -6 dB I/N (Interference-to-Noise) limit for base stations 100% of the time. SpaceX argues this would create buffer zones exceeding 400-kilometer around terrestrial base stations, cutting off service to broad areas.
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It added that because terrestrial base stations are directional, they are quite resilient to interference. Therefore, SpaceX recommends that the interference protection rules should apply only 80% of the time until the protection criteria are modernized.
Why are T-Mobile and SpaceX sparring?
4 Votes
User equipment implications
SpaceX criticizes T-Mobile's proposal for being overly restrictive. | Image by FCC
SpaceX also rejected T-Mobile's proposed flat PFD limit for smartphones, noting the request wasn't backed up with a technical study. The company insisted the FCC rely on the US-backed standards from the International Telecommunication Union.
T-Mobile's reservations
T-Mobile argued earlier this month that D2D services shouldn't be allowed to access the 2.5 GHz band to prevent service degradation. The band is currently excluded from the SCS framework due to its complicated setup.
Its Time Division Duplexing mode uses a single frequency channel for both uploads and downloads. T-Mobile claimed that while terrestrial networks manage signals to prevent collisions, satellites cannot coordinate signals as effectively.
While both SpaceX and T-Mobile raise valid points, using the band at the expense of terrestrial performance yields zero net benefit to consumers.
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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