AT&T tries to block Starlink/T-Mobile plan for satellite-to-phone service

AT&T and different entities try to block the SpaceX/T-Mobile plan to present Starlink satellite tv for pc service instantly to cell telephones.

In a submitting yesterday, AT&T urged the Federal Communications Commission to reject the SpaceX/T-Mobile proposal. “The FCC’s rules do not permit SpaceX’s proposed use of T-Mobile’s terrestrial spectrum, and Applicants fail to even request—much less justify—rule waivers that would be necessary to authorize their proposed SCS [supplemental coverage from space] authorizations,” AT&T stated.

AT&T stated it’s within the continuing as a result of it has a license to use adjoining spectrum within the PCS C Block. AT&T says the SpaceX/T-Mobile plan, which was introduced in August 2022, may “jeopardize or inhibit the delivery of terrestrial wireless services,” together with cell broadband.

SpaceX and T-Mobile’s “technical showings are woefully insufficient regarding the risk of harmful interference posed by their planned SCS deployments,” AT&T advised the FCC. “SpaceX and T-Mobile’s applications fall far short of meeting the threshold for waiver and cannot be granted in their current state.”

Plan impacts up to 7,500 satellites

The FCC final month sought touch upon the appliance, noting that SpaceX requested modification of its license for low-orbit Earth satellites “to add a direct-to-cellular communications capability on up to 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites.” The hyperlinks to shopper gadgets would depend on the 1910-1915 MHz (Earth-to-space) and 1990-1995 MHz (space-to-Earth) bands, also referred to as PCS G-Block, the FCC stated.

The FCC is on board with satellite tv for pc firms and cell carriers partnering to shut gaps in wi-fi networks. In a March motion, the FCC proposed a brand new regulatory framework to assist satellite tv for pc operators and wi-fi firms “leverage the growth in space-based services to connect smartphone users in remote, unserved, and underserved areas.” But the FCC may nonetheless reject or require adjustments to the SpaceX/T-Mobile plan.

We contacted SpaceX and T-Mobile immediately and can replace this text if we get any response.

SpaceX stated just lately that it plans to begin testing the satellite-to-cell system with T-Mobile someday this yr. Text messaging is predicted to be the primary supported service, with voice and Internet protection to be added later.

Rural wi-fi group has related objections

The SpaceX/T-Mobile docket additionally drew responses yesterday from the Rural Wireless Association, a commerce group for small, rural wi-fi carriers, and Omnispace, which is partnering with Ligado for a satellite-to-phone system.

The RWA advised the FCC it’s involved “that T-Mobile’s and SpaceX’s proposed operations may cause adjacent channel interference to licensees’ mobile and fixed network operations in the 1895-1910 MHz and 1975-1990 MHz bands (‘PCS C-Block’) in rural and remote areas.”

SpaceX advised the FCC that its “direct-to-cellular system will operate without causing harmful interference to or requiring protection from any other service duly licensed in these bands” and “will protect adjacent band operations from harmful interference.”

But in accordance to the RWA, “SpaceX offers no support for this conclusion nor does it offer to put any protections in place to ensure there is no adjacent channel interference.” SpaceX and T-Mobile additionally haven’t “provided the results of any field trials that would allow the public to analyze the potential for adjacent channel interference,” the agricultural wi-fi group stated. Omnispace equally advised the FCC that the SpaceX/T-Mobile plan would intervene with current mobile-satellite service networks.

One different opposition submitting got here in two weeks in the past from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, a government-funded analysis heart. The group stated the SpaceX/T-Mobile plan would trigger dangerous interference in parts of the National Radio Quiet Zone. SpaceX issued a response saying that the astronomy group’s issues “appear more appropriately addressed in the Commission’s general rulemaking to establish industry-wide rules for SCS.”

The FCC sided with SpaceX in a separate battle over spectrum use yesterday. As we reported, the FCC rejected a Dish Network proposal for cell service within the 12.2-12.7 GHz band, saying the Dish plan would trigger dangerous interference to satellite tv for pc broadband service.