SpaceX says that approval of two filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) — one an application and one an amendment — would enable its second generation (Gen2) Starlink non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGS) satellites to provide gigabit speed services.
The first application seeks “several small-but-meaningful updates to its orbital configuration and operational parameters” that will increase sustainability in space, improve response to demand and spectrum sharing capabilities.
The application seeks to align the Gen2 authorization with the FCC’s flexible use policies, the Space Innovation Agenda and updates in FCC policy and international rules following the International Telecommunications Union (“ITU”) 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (“WRC-23”).
The other application is “an amendment to the pending part of the Gen2 application requesting additional upgrades to its Gen2 system that the Commission has not yet addressed, including SpaceX’s orbital shells below 400km and frequencies beyond those requested in the original application.”
The application was submitted by Jameson Dempsey, the Director of Satellite Policy. “Together, this modification and its companion amendment will enable the Gen2 system to deliver gigabit-speed, truly low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile connectivity to all Americans and the billions of people globally who still lack access to adequate broadband,” he wrote in the filing.
The changes sought by SpaceX were originally reported by Ars Technica.
The requested changes come less than a month after the FCC adopted a Report and Order opening 1300 MHz of contiguous spectrum for non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) fixed-satellite services. The report and order also changes the rules to enable NGSO providers to utilize that spectrum, which is in the 17.3 GHz to 17.8 GHz band.
Starlink is moving toward gigabit speeds as the regulatory issues proceed. In late July, Vice President of Engineering Michael Nicholls tweeted an Ookla Speedtest result that showed its technology achieved 8.1 Gbps download and 2.8 Gbps upload speeds.
CEO Elon Musk promised more gigabit is on the way, retweeting Nicholls’ tweet and tweeting that the Starlink Gateway terminal provides more than 8 Gbps downlink and soon will match that with 8 Gbps uplink capability.
