The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has formally authorized SpaceX to deploy an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit, bringing the company's total approved next-generation constellation to 15,000 spacecraft.
SpaceX says the expansion will significantly increase network capacity, reduce latency, and accelerate the commercialization of satellite-to-cellphone, or Direct-to-Cell (D2C), services—a milestone with far-reaching implications for global broadband connectivity.
According to reports from Reuters, Wccftech, Tom's Hardware, and TechCrunch, the FCC also relaxed restrictions on the frequency bands and orbital design of the second-generation satellites. They will operate in the Ku and Ka bands and may additionally use higher-frequency V, E, and W bands for gateway and return links, boosting overall throughput and spectral efficiency. The agency also eased certain coverage overlap limits, allowing denser satellite deployment to expand capacity.
On the service front, the FCC has permitted the new Starlink satellites to provide D2C mobile services outside the US, allowing unmodified smartphones to connect directly to the satellite network. Within the US, the system will complement existing terrestrial mobile networks, extending coverage to hard-to-reach areas.
"This approval represents a critical step forward for next-generation satellite communications," FCC Chair Brendan Carr said in a statement, noting that it will help bridge the digital divide in rural and underserved communities.
Under the terms of the authorization, SpaceX must launch and operate at least half of the newly approved satellites by December 1, 2028, with the remainder deployed by December 1, 2031.
At the same time, the FCC applied a "partial approval" approach to SpaceX's broader request for nearly 30,000 satellites, deferring review of roughly 15,000 additional second-generation satellites. The agency cited concerns over orbital congestion, debris risk, and spectrum coordination, warning that further deployments could be paused if collision risk assessments exceed safety thresholds.
In response, SpaceX plans to lower some satellites initially slated for 550 kilometers in altitude to about 480 kilometers, reducing the orbital lifetime of defunct satellites and mitigating space debris risks.
Currently, Starlink operates roughly 9,400 satellites serving consumers, businesses, and government clients, making it the largest satellite broadband operator in the world. Analysts note that the second-generation satellites, with higher capacity, lower latency, and autonomous collision-avoidance features, could make satellite broadband a mainstream alternative rather than merely a stopgap for remote regions.
SpaceX is also working with chip manufacturers—though the companies involved have not been disclosed—to integrate satellite connectivity directly into smartphones, potentially ushering in a new era for global mobile communications.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
