The Federal Communications Commission voted on October 29, 2026, to begin revising its Supplemental Coverage from Space rules. The proposal would expand the frequencies eligible for satellite-to-phone service and change how satellite operators arrange access to spectrum licensed for terrestrial networks. The proceedings are GN Docket Nos. 26-281 and 23-65.
The commission is seeking comment on additional spectrum totaling 482 MHz, increasing the number of eligible bands from five to 13. Adoption of the notice begins consideration of those changes. It does not give SpaceX or another satellite operator permission to transmit across the proposed bands.
The FCC established its initial Supplemental Coverage from Space framework in March 2024. Under that framework, satellites can communicate directly with consumer devices using designated terrestrial frequencies. The arrangement allows satellite coverage to supplement cellular networks in places without a terrestrial connection.
The original rules require participating terrestrial license holders collectively to control the relevant channel throughout a defined geographically independent area. They must lease spectrum access to the satellite operator, whose satellite license identifies the frequencies and service area. The defined areas include the contiguous United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, together with specified U.S. territories.
The October proposal would remove the existing geographically independent area and leasing requirements. The FCC’s announcement reproduced by Benton instead describes consideration of adaptable geographic license areas and coexistence agreements suited to operators’ circumstances. Such agreements address how services share access without unacceptable interference.
This proposed change concerns the structure of spectrum access. A satellite operator’s service arrangements would no longer necessarily have to follow the existing combination of a prescribed geographic area and spectrum lease. The FCC’s announcement describes consideration of more flexible terrestrial, satellite, and hybrid business arrangements.
The spectrum expansion and access proposals develop the issues described in New Space Economy’s earlier coverage of the Supplemental Coverage from Space proposal. The October 29 vote moves those questions into an adopted rulemaking process.
SpaceX also sought inclusion of the 902–928 MHz band. Light Reading reported on October 29 that the commission declined that request. The reported exclusion has not been independently established from the adopted FCC text.
Separately, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have raised concerns about satellite use of the 2.5 GHz and 3.45 GHz bands. According to Light Reading, the FCC is seeking feedback on those concerns. The carriers’ objections concern interference with terrestrial mobile operations; they are not findings that the proposed satellite use has caused such interference.
For Starlink, the proceeding addresses the rules under which additional terrestrial spectrum could support satellite connectivity. Public comments and replies will inform the commission’s decisions on eligible frequencies, access arrangements, and coexistence requirements.
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