SpaceX is scheduled to launch another batch of its Starlink internet satellites from Florida's Space Coast on February 7, marking the 17th launch and landing for the particular Falcon 9 booster. This launch will carry 21 Starlink spacecraft, including 13 with direct-to-cell capability, into low Earth orbit. The Falcon 9's first stage is expected to return to Earth about eight minutes after liftoff, landing on the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas." The upper stage will deploy the satellites about 65 minutes after liftoff.
Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to launch a process to review new uses for upper C-band satellite spectrum at its first open meeting under Chairman Brendan Carr on February 27. This move could potentially set up a battle between SpaceX and U.S. wireless carriers.
The FCC plans to vote on launching a notice of inquiry into opening up the 3.98-4.2 gigahertz (GHz) band for more intensive use, following its decision to repurpose lower C-band spectrum for terrestrial 5G services. This decision generated over $80 billion in auction proceeds from wireless players including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
Satellite operators SES and Intelsat, which held most of the lower C-band spectrum, received around $9 billion in total accelerated relocation payments to shift broadcast services into the upper portion of the band, which is now under review.
The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA), representing Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, supports opening the upper C-band for 5G services. However, SpaceX has urged the FCC to consider a different approach that would allow multiple operators, including satellite providers, to share access to the band. SpaceX argues that such a flexible framework is essential for American leadership in 6G, which will integrate terrestrial and satellite networks.
Analysts have cautioned that realigning the upper C-band for Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) would likely be a yearslong effort, requiring extensive regulatory coordination and technical adjustments to prevent interference with existing services.