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Telecommunications & Media

SpaceX secures approval to deploy 15,000 Starlink satellites for direct-to-device service

SpaceX has secured key regulatory approval to expand Starlink’s direct-to-device service. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved SpaceX to deploy and operate 15,000 Starlink satellites for the service and waived a rule requiring spectrum leasing deals with one or more terrestrial wireless carriers. The decision could intensify competition with major U.S. carriers, though Verizon CEO Dan Schulman said the impact of low-Earth orbit operators on its broadband growth was not noticeable.

Telecommunications & Media

SpaceX criticises other satellite operators, says near-collisions occurred 164,000 times

SpaceX criticised satellite operators that do not share orbital information as close-approach risks involving its Starlink satellites mount. It said manoeuvres carried out without sharing predicted orbits could raise collision risk in low Earth orbit. SpaceX said Starlink had potential close approaches this year with about 650 other satellites, including cases where counterparts did not share location data. It also reported about 164,000 potential close approaches over the past six months.

Telecommunications & Media

Satellite connectivity battle heats up as FCC votes on key spectrum auction plan

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is moving to increase spectrum supply to expand direct-to-device satellite services linking smartphones and satellites. The FCC will vote on Oct. 29 on a plan to auction 25 MHz in the 1675-1695 MHz and 2020-2025 MHz bands. It will also discuss using an additional 482 MHz for space-based supplemental coverage and updating related rules, steps that do not immediately assign spectrum.