SpaceX’s ‘broadband from space’ plan gets final US FCC approval

Bloomberg

Elon Musk’s SpaceX won approval from the US Federal Communications Commission to offer broadband service from space, using a constellation of 4,425 satellites racing around the Earth in low orbits.
The action, approved in a 5-0 vote by FCC commissioners, is the first approval of a US-licensed satellite constellation to deliver broadband, or fast internet service, the agency said in an emailed news release.
Satellites can help extend broadband to Americans who live in remote or hard-to-serve places where fiber optic cables and cell towers don’t reach, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said.
US politicians have called for improved internet service in rural areas. President Donald Trump’s infrastructure proposal lists broadband as eligible for funding, alongside traditional projects such as roads and bridges.
SpaceX, formally known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp., requested authority to deploy and operate thousands of satellites operating roughly 1,110 to 1325 kilometres above the Earth.
“This is an important step toward SpaceX building a next-generation satellite network that can link the globe with reliable and affordable broadband service, especially reaching those who are not yet connected,” Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president, said. The FCC said it earlier approved three international operators for satellite-broadband operations: OneWeb, Space Norway AS, and Telesat Canada.
In order for large broadband constellations to deliver services in the US, the FCC must approve their operations to ensure the satellites don’t interfere with other uses.