FCC Takes Action That Brings Thousands of Megahertz of Spectrum into the Marketplace 

Order Will Unleash Spectrum Abundance for New and Untapped Uses

Today, the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules that will open up massive troves of additional spectrum for next-generation connectivity. Through the satellite spectrum abundance order, the Commission will unlock more than 1,000 megahertz of spectrum in the 12 GHz and 42 GHz bands for a range of connectivity services, including even faster satellite broadband.

Today’s actions are part of the Commission’s leadership in efficient spectrum management to provide the spectrum resources that American free enterprise can use to build a vibrant commercial economy. The Commission looks forward to witnessing how spectrum abundance will expand high-speed connectivity to underserved areas and unlock the next generation of space-based communications.

Bountiful downlink spectrum for consumer terminals provides more bandwidth for in-home satellite broadband and with more spectrum for fixed earth stations, these rules can improve how traffic is routed on the ground. Additional capacity for inter-satellite links strengthens the backbone in orbit and makes it more resilient. Bolstering spectrum access for earth stations in motion brings better connectivity to ships, planes, and vehicles. New spectrum for telemetry, tracking, and control opens the door to a wide range of industrial and commercial innovations in space that we are only beginning to imagine. 

More specifically, the Commission will unlock more than 1,000 megahertz of spectrum in the 12.7 and 42 GHz bands. This decision will bring more capacity for satellite broadband to the home, for in-flight and on-ship connectivity, and for core traffic-routing functions in satellite ground networks.

In addition to these final rules, in a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission explores freeing up 1,450 megahertz of spectrum in the Ku- and Ka- bands, along with 138.25 gigahertz in the D-band, for more intensive satellite communications. And lastly, in a second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission adds to the list of spectrum bands under consideration for “weird space stuff.” This follows the Commission’s first-of-its-kind proceeding to bring spectrum abundance for missions like in-orbit servicing, refueling, manufacturing, or operations on or around the Moon—that is, next-generation space missions that do not provide connectivity to the public. This Further Notice would build on the foundation by considering new spectrum bands to control spacecraft and transmit data for emergent space ops.