FCC to vote on new spectrum auction aimed at expanding direct-to-device services

On Oct. 29, the Federal Communications Commission plans to vote on whether to proceed with a new auction of 25 MHz of spectrum dedicated to direct-to-device satellite services and to adopt updated rules for drone operations in the 800 MHz cellular band. The commission earlier approved SpaceX’s request to launch another 7,500 Starlink satellites, bringing its constellation to 15,000, and cleared the company’s use of 65 MHz of spectrum purchased from EchoStar for mobile expansion.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the initiative aims to close cellular dead zones by linking smartphones directly to next-generation satellite constellations, and noted that upcoming auctions could raise more than $100 billion. SpaceX’s ambitions have drawn attention from investors as the company eyes competition with the three major U.S. telecoms. In parallel, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have appointed veteran Paul Roth to lead a joint venture focused on satellite-enabled mobile coverage. The FCC also intends to make an additional 482 MHz available for supplemental space-based coverage.