SpaceX Gets FCC Approval for 15,000 Next-Generation Starlink Mobile Satellites
SpaceX has taken a major step toward turning Starlink Mobile into a serious wireless network competitor in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission has approved the company’s request to launch and operate 15,000 next-generation satellites designed to deliver mobile connectivity directly from space.
The approval, granted on October 6, comes roughly a year after SpaceX submitted its application in September 2025. Alongside the satellite authorization, the FCC also issued a waiver allowing SpaceX to provide wireless service through its satellite network without needing a spectrum leasing agreement with a traditional mobile carrier.
That decision could reshape the US wireless market. Until now, satellite-to-phone services have largely been positioned as a backup for emergencies or remote areas. With this approval, SpaceX has a clearer path to offer broader mobile service and potentially compete with major wireless carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
SpaceX says its next-generation Starlink Mobile network could deliver 5G speeds of up to 150Mbps per user. That would be a significant jump from the current Starlink Mobile service, which uses around 650 satellites and is available in the US through T-Mobile’s T-Satellite offering. Current speeds are estimated to be around 4Mbps, making the planned upgrade a major leap in performance.
The FCC said the expanded satellite network could give consumers more choice, increase competition in retail wireless services and help eliminate cellular dead zones across the country. The approved satellites will operate in low Earth orbit at altitudes between 326km and 335km. Lower orbital altitudes can help reduce latency, improving response times for users on the ground.
A key part of SpaceX’s plan involves spectrum it is acquiring from EchoStar, the parent company of Boost Mobile. The authorized US spectrum bands include 1695 to 1710MHz, 1915 to 1920MHz, 1995 to 2000MHz, 2000 to 2020MHz and 2180 to 2200MHz. SpaceX is also cleared to use T-Mobile’s PCS G-block spectrum, covering 1910 to 1915MHz and 1990 to 1995MHz, which supports the current Starlink Mobile service.
The FCC has also approved cellular operations for the satellites outside the United States, giving SpaceX room to expand its direct-to-device ambitions internationally.
However, SpaceX cannot fully use the EchoStar frequencies for commercial service just yet. The company is limited to testing on those bands until the second phase of its EchoStar spectrum acquisition closes, which is scheduled for November 30, 2027. SpaceX agreed to purchase the spectrum in September 2025 for about $17 billion, and the FCC approved the transfer earlier with a $2.4 billion escrow requirement.
By the time that transaction is finalized, SpaceX expects to have already begun launching its first second-generation Starlink Mobile satellites.
The company’s long-term strategy goes beyond rural coverage. SpaceX plans to combine its satellite network with low-cost ground-based femtocells, which could help expand service into suburbs and cities without relying heavily on traditional cell towers. This approach could give Starlink Mobile a different network model from established carriers, though some telecom leaders have questioned whether it can scale effectively in dense urban areas.
The FCC approved most of SpaceX’s application despite pushback from rival satellite operators and environmental groups. Critics raised concerns about possible radio interference, orbital congestion and light pollution from such a large satellite constellation.
The agency has not yet made a final decision on all of SpaceX’s spectrum requests. It deferred ruling on the company’s request to use the 2020 to 2025MHz band in the US, as well as the 1429 to 2690MHz range for operations outside the country.
Even with those remaining questions, the approval marks one of the biggest regulatory wins yet for SpaceX’s direct-to-cell ambitions. If the company can deliver on its promised speeds and coverage, Starlink Mobile could become a major force in the future of satellite-powered 5G connectivity.
