PCMag by Michael Kan November 7, 2023
The FCC is asking SpaceX for a more detailed analysis about whether the 'Starlink direct to cell' service could interfere with other satellite and ground-based services.SpaceX is aiming to launch a Starlink cellular service next year, with the goal of supplying satellite-based messaging and internet to smartphones. But the company still needs to convince the FCC that the technology won’t interfere with other satellite and ground-based services.
On Tuesday, the FCC sent a list of additional questions to SpaceX as the US regulator considers whether to approve or reject the company’s application to operate the Starlink cellular service over the 1910 to 1995MHz radio bands.
The company initially applied last year to begin using thousands of Starlink satellites to beam the radio signals to smartphones on the ground, including those from T-Mobile. Now, the FCC is requesting that SpaceX supply an “interference analysis."
“This analysis should take into account the worst case scenario of all satellites transmitting at the same time, including different power levels required for rain fade and cloud cover as well as clear sky conditions over a particular area of coverage,” the FCC wrote.
More:
https://www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-to-spacex-can-you-shut-off-cellular-starlink-service-if-interference
