TAMPA, Fla. — The Federal Communications Commission looks set to launch a process to review new uses for upper C-band satellite spectrum at its first open meeting under Chairman Brendan Carr Feb. 27, potentially setting up a battle between SpaceX and U.S. wireless carriers.
Carr announced Feb. 5 that the regulator plans to vote this month on launching a notice of inquiry into opening up the 3.98-4.2 gigahertz (GHz) band “for more intensive use,” kickstarting a formal process for these sought-after frequencies.
The move follows the FCC’s decision to repurpose lower C-band spectrum (3.7-3.98 GHz) for terrestrial 5G services, generating 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 that spectrum, were in turn given 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 battle to connect
The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA), which represents Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, welcomed Carr’s announcement, seeing it as a step toward securing more frequencies to expand 5G services.
“Making Upper C-band available for 5G services is crucial to strengthening America’s wireless networks, driving innovation, creating jobs, and securing our economic competitiveness,” CTIA said in a statement.
However, analysts have pointed out that the FCC has not explicitly endorsed opening the spectrum for terrestrial commercial use, leaving room for alternative applications.
Blair Levin, an analyst with NewStreet Research, cautioned “we don’t think the wireless industry should be popping champagne yet.”
Just a week before Carr’s announcement, SpaceX sent a letter to the FCC urging a different approach — one that would allow multiple operators, including satellite providers, to share access to the band.
“To be clear, SpaceX does not oppose the merger between SES and Intelsat, nor is it suggesting they have spectrum taken away,” SpaceX wrote.
“Rather, SpaceX is proposing the Commission modernize the 200 MHz of the upper C-band … by sharing the band across multiple operators in addition to the merged entity that already controls more than 90% of the band.”
SpaceX also said a flexible framework compatible with multiple new entrants “is essential to solidify American leadership in 6G, which will interweave terrestrial and satellite networks into a seamless consumer experience.”
Adam Rhodes, a senior telecom analyst at Octus, also noted that allocating additional, globally harmonized frequencies to Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) could help ease future supply constraints for direct-to-smartphone connectivity operators.
SpaceX, which is developing direct-to-smartphone capabilities using cellular spectrum from T-Mobile, has previously explored MSS frequencies to enhance its space-based offerings, although it is unclear whether upper C-band’s technical characteristics make it a viable option for this type of service.
Rhodes also cautioned that realigning the upper C-band for MSS would likely be a yearslong effort, requiring extensive regulatory coordination and technical adjustments to prevent interference with existing services.
