The FCC rejected calls to change how it licenses MSS spectrum, dismissing a request by SpaceX and other operators to enter certain spectrum bands.
In an order issued Thursday, the FCC reaffirmed Globalstar and Iridium’s exclusive operating rights in spectrum referred to as the “Big LEO” band, a swath of mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum for Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) operations.
The ruling dismissed requests from SpaceX, Kepler Communications, Sateliot, and AST SpaceMobile requesting market access in portions of MSS spectrum. It also dismisses a request from SpaceX to allow new entrants in the MSS band, and a request from Iridium to revise the Big LEO plan.
The decision reaffirms the FCC’s approach to the “Big LEO” spectrum bands — that these bands are not available to license an additional MSS system. The FCC concluded that spectrum-sharing the Big LEO is impractical, and there were public interest reasons to maintain the regulatory regime.
“The licensees, over the years, have developed substantial systems providing multiple types of services with a significant customer base. They have designed equipment to maximize operations relying on the current MSS regulatory and technical environment with the expectation of exclusive use of the spectrum,” the order says. “The band plan provides for service continuity and the ability to replace systems over time. We find no policy or public interest reasons to overhaul the current licensing framework.”
SpaceX has filed multiple requests to enter parts of this band. The FCC previously rejected another request in 2024 to modify the Gen2 Starlink constellation application to introduce an MSS component
Yet the ruling wasn’t all bad news for SpaceX. In the case of Sateliot and AST SpaceMobile, the requests were dealing with 2 GHz spectrum, which is incumbent to EchoStar. The FCC rejected their requests to enter the band — upholding decisions that this band can only be used by one operator in the United States.
Those licenses will be transferred to SpaceX with the spectrum sale between EchoStar and SpaceX announced in September.
The ruling gives regulatory certainty to the spectrum behind two ongoing transactions — SpaceX’s purchase of EchoStar spectrum including the 2 GHz band, and Amazon’s purchase of Globalstar.
The FCC’s rationale also pointed to “significant” harmful interference challenges to allowing additional uses in these bands, and not wanting to risk the “investment, growth, and innovation afforded in the current Big LEO structure,” the ruling said.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement that American consumers stand to be the “winners” in direct-to-device (D2D) innovation.
“The FCC is laser-focused this year on making our rules as friendly as possible for investment and innovation in D2D services. We are taking important actions this week to give this exciting industry the clarity it needs to build satellite systems and invest in spectrum confidently,” Carr said, also pointing to the FCC’s approval of AST SpaceMobile’s service earlier this week.
