SpaceX Seeks FCC Approval to Deploy 15,000 Next-Gen Satellites for Cellular Starlink Expansion
SpaceX is planning a massive expansion of its Starlink network, with a proposal to launch up to 15,000 next-generation satellites aimed at bringing mobile connectivity directly to smartphones.
The company submitted a filing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Friday, outlining how the satellites will operate using spectrum acquired from EchoStar, Boost Mobile’s parent company, in a $17 billion deal. According to SpaceX, the system will enable “ubiquitous connectivity to ordinary mobile handsets and a range of other devices and user terminals.”
Currently, the Starlink “direct-to-cell” constellation includes more than 650 satellites, already capable of transmitting text messages and supporting video calls via apps like WhatsApp in areas without traditional cell coverage. With the new EchoStar spectrum, SpaceX says it can boost throughput by up to 20 times, delivering performance levels comparable to 4G LTE.
The filing details a plan to create a constellation of low and very-low Earth orbit satellites, supported by SpaceX’s existing ground stations alongside newly deployed infrastructure designed to enhance consumer experience. To further minimize latency, the company has requested permission to position some of the satellites in orbits as low as 326–335 kilometers above Earth, even closer than the 340-kilometer approval granted by the FCC last November.
In the U.S., the upgraded system will use EchoStar frequencies along with T-Mobile’s 1.91 to 1.995GHz bands, while internationally, it will leverage a broader mix of spectrum to bring coverage to more markets.
If approved, the expansion could transform Starlink’s role from a satellite internet provider into a global cellular service competitor, offering reliable coverage in remote regions where traditional networks fall short.
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