SpaceX Starlink has reached a significant milestone with the FCC’s decision to double the number of authorized Gen2 satellites from 7,500 to 15,000. These second-generation models offer a 20-fold increase in throughput compared to their predecessors, promising users internet speeds that could reach up to 1 gigabit per second. The authorization also allows SpaceX to operate across a broader range of frequencies—including Ku, Ka, V, E, and W bands—which will significantly enhance network capacity and reduce congestion for users in densely populated or remote areas.
Table of Contents
SpaceX Starlink direct-to-cell capabilities
SpaceX Starlink is set to revolutionize mobile connectivity following this approval, which explicitly includes the deployment of direct-to-cell technology. This will allow standard smartphones to connect directly to the satellite network without needing a specialized dish, initially providing supplemental coverage in the U.S. through partnerships like the one with T-Mobile. Globally, the expansion will enable Starlink to offer emergency messaging and voice services in regions where terrestrial cellular networks are unavailable, effectively bridging the final gaps in worldwide mobile communication.
SpaceX Starlink and orbital safety milestones
SpaceX Starlink must adhere to strict deployment deadlines as part of the FCC agreement, with 50% of the newly authorized satellites required to be in orbit by December 2028. To address growing concerns regarding orbital debris and “space crowding,” SpaceX has already begun lowering the altitude of approximately 4,400 existing satellites to orbits below 500 km. This move is designed to ensure that any failing satellites deorbit more quickly and to minimize the risk of collisions with the International Space Station and other active spacecraft, a strategy that played a key role in securing the FCC’s latest green light.
