The Starlink satellite will deploy from the SpaceX Starship on September 28, 2026.
Source: SpaceX
The Federal Communications Commission announced Wednesday that it will vote on a proposal to auction 25 megahertz of “prime spectrum” to support “direct-to-device” satellite-to-smartphone services.
The FCC also said in a press release that it will vote on an Oct. 29 request for public comment on a proposal to make an additional 482MHz of frequency available for supplemental coverage from space and modernize FCC rules for direct-to-consumer services in licensed frequencies.
The two proposals could benefit companies that: space x and Amazonis working to expand D2D services using satellite networks.
The third proposal to be voted on would “remove outdated restrictions that prevent drone operations in the 800MHz cellular band,” according to the FCC.
In July, Amazon asked the FCC for approval to launch up to 5,105 internet satellites as part of a constellation to provide direct connectivity to devices. In a filing that month, Amazon said it was targeting users who are “unserved or underserved” by existing wireless providers.
Amazon announced in August that it would acquire Globalstar in a deal worth more than $11.5 billion to strengthen its LEO satellite internet business.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr speaks during a press conference after the FCC meeting at Federal Communications Commission Headquarters in Washington, DC, February 18, 2026.
Kevin Dietch | Getty Images
On Tuesday, the FCC’s space agency granted SpaceX’s application for a new 15,000-satellite direct cell communications system.
“This constellation will use spectrum that SpaceX purchased from EchoStar earlier this year. The FCC approved this, marking a major win for America’s space economy,” the FCC said in a press release Wednesday.
“The ‘Direct to Device’ proposal continues to leverage this cutting-edge technology to eliminate cell phone dead zones and bring service directly to smartphones from next-generation satellite constellations,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement Wednesday. “And our final rule on drones will further President Trump’s call for drone dominance and provide the emerging American drone economy with available spectrum to support the next generation of commercial and defense innovation.”
