FCC Names Three Unlicensed Bands For Satellite D2D Vote

An FCC draft order has put three unlicensed spectrum ranges into a proposed direct-to-device satellite proceeding, setting up an August 6 vote on whether familiar Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and IoT-style bands should be studied for space-to-ground connectivity.

The agency's broader plan seeks more than 225MHz of unlicensed spectrum for direct-to-device services.

The 38-page draft starts with bands already used under Part 15 rules and leaves room for the FCC to examine other bands later.

Draft Order Names Three Part 15 Spectrum Ranges

The proposal calls for possible Earth-to-space operations in 902MHz-928MHz, 2400MHz-2483.5MHz and 5725MHz-5850MHz.

Those ranges are currently available for unlicensed devices under Part 15, the rule set used by technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The band selection keeps the proceeding close to devices that already use unlicensed radios.

The agency is looking at laptops, smartphones and IoT devices that use unlicensed technologies, rather than limiting the idea to mobile phones connected through licensed cellular spectrum.

Satellite Allocation And Interference Questions Shape The Vote

The identified bands generally do not have satellite allocations, except for 5830MHz-5850MHz, which the FCC draft says is allocated for amateur satellite downlink use.

The proposal would seek comment on the licensing framework for new satellite operations and on how to authorise them without harming other users in the bands.

Tim Farrar, principal at TMF Associates, told Light Reading that he does not expect major interference issues between existing users and the proposed direct-to-device use in the identified unlicensed bands, partly because most unlicensed uses today are indoors.

Signal strength and obstruction limits remain practical questions for service design.

SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile And Amazon Can Comment Later

Unlicensed direct-to-device service would sit beside licensed-spectrum satellite-to-phone systems rather than replace them.

SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile and Amazon are among companies working around licensed direct-to-device connections, with Amazon moving into the sector through its acquisition of Globalstar.

None of those three companies had commented on the proposal at publication.

If commissioners approve the rulemaking, satellite operators, device makers and spectrum users will be able to file comments and replies during the normal FCC process.

The proceeding also reaches spacecraft use of familiar consumer wireless technologies.

Part 15 rules do not specifically prohibit or allow Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on crewed space missions, while both have been used by astronauts on the International Space Station through close NASA coordination.

The August 6 vote is therefore only the starting gate: it would decide whether the FCC opens a record on unlicensed satellite D2D, not whether the three bands can already carry commercial space-to-ground service.