FCC Authorizes SpaceX Mobile Earth Stations For Use With Starlink Satellite Broadband System
July 1, 2022 – The FCC’s International Bureau has granted, subject to specific conditions and limits, SpaceX Services, Inc.’s (SpaceX) applications to operate consumer and enterprise Ku-band Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM).[1]
The ESIMs will communicate with SpaceX’s non-geostationary, low earth orbit Starlink satellite constellation, allowing subscribers to receive Starlink’s satellite broadband service abord moving vehicles, ships, and planes.[2]
SpaceX filed its applications in December 2021 and January 2021, seeking authority “to operate an unlimited number of consumer and enterprise end-user earth stations for deployment as ESIMs in the Ku-band using the 14.0-14.5 GHz band for transmitting and 10.7-12.7 GHz (including 12.2-12.7 GHz) for receiving.”[3] SpaceX listed the following ESIM uses in its applications: (1) vehicle-mounted earth stations throughout the U.S. and its territories; (2) as earth station on vessels in the territorial waters of the U.S. and throughout international waters worldwide; and (3) as earth stations aboard aircraft on U.S.-registered aircraft operating worldwide and non-U.S.-registered aircraft operating in U.S. airspace.
The International Bureau concluded that granting the applications would benefit the public interest because “[a]uthorizing a new class of terminals for SpaceX’s satellite system will expand the range of broadband capabilities to meet the growing user demands that now require connectivity while on the move, whether driving an RV across the country, moving a freighter from Europe to a U.S. port, or while on a domestic or international flight.”
The grant of authority to SpaceX is subject to over 20 conditions and limits, many of which are related to and take into account the FCC’s ongoing 12 GHz rulemaking proceeding.[4]
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[1] SpaceX Services, Inc. Application for Blanket Authorization of Next-Generation Ku-Band Earth Stations in Motion, IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20210803-01360, Call Sign E210309; SpaceX Services, Inc. Application for Blanket Authorization of High-Performance Ku-Band Earth Stations in Motion, IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20210803-01361, Call Sign E210310; Order And Authorization, DA 22-695 (June 30, 2022) (Order), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-695A1.pdf.
[2] ESIMs is the collective designation for three types of earth stations that the FCC authorizes to transmit while in motion – Earth Stations on Vessels (ESVs), Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations (VMESs), and Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAAs) – using frequencies allocated to the fixed satellite service. Broadly stated, ESVs refers to earth stations that communicates with a satellite or satellites while located on maritime vessels such as boats, cargo ships, or cruise ships, whereas VMES and ESAAs refer to earth stations that communicate with a satellite or satellites while located on land-based vehicles or on aircraft, respectively. Order at footnote 4; 47 CFR § 25.103.
[3] Order at ¶ 2. SpaceX’s “next generation” consumer ESIM application requested an unlimited number of ground-based terminals designed for consumers. SpaceX’s “high performance” enterprise ESIM application requested an unlimited number of ground-based, higher performance or “HP” terminals designed for enterprise customers. Order at footnotes 2-3.
[4] See Order at ¶ 30.
