FCC lets SpaceX launch 7,500 more Starlink satellites
Starlink's second-generation fleet can now reach 15,000 satellites, including direct-to-cell service for ordinary phones.
On January 9, the US FCC approved SpaceX's request to launch 7,500 more second-generation Starlink satellites, bringing the total to 15,000 worldwide.
What's new
- Satellites can operate across five frequencies
- Direct-to-cell connectivity for phones outside the US
- and supplemental coverage for mobile networks inside the US
SpaceX wanted more
SpaceX had asked for 15,000 additional satellites. The FCC said it would defer a decision on the remaining 14,988.
Deadlines
- 50% of the approved satellites by December 1, 2028
- the rest by December 2031
Why it matters to us
Direct-to-cell means an ordinary phone can connect straight to a satellite where there is no network. For mountainous regions like Kurdistan, that could matter a lot, if it is ever licensed locally.
Founder and editor-in-chief of Kurd Developers. Phone and tech news on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
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