The Federal Communications Commission has approved an application from SpaceX to roll out satellite broadband services in the US. This is the first US approval of a fleet of low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver broadband. SpaceX plans a fleet of 4,425 mini satellites and was granted authority to use frequencies in the Ka (20/30 GHz) and Ku (11/14 GHz) bands to provide internet connectivity.
SpaceX joins a growing number of companies exploring new types of satellite to deliver broadband. Over the past year, the FCC has approved requests by OneWeb, Space Norway, and Telesat to access the US market for satellite broadband services, and the regulator said other applications were under consideration.
SpaceX launched the first two demo satellites for the broadband service last month. The company said it is still developing the complex system before the roll-out gets fully underway.
