SpaceX Buys 800MHz Spectrum and Wins FCC Approval for 15,000 Starlink Mobile Satellites

SpaceX is acquiring low-band spectrum licenses in the 800MHz band and received FCC approval for its Starlink Mobile Gen2 constellation of 15,000 satellites optimized for 2GHz spectrum. The FCC also granted a waiver letting SpaceX offer satellite wireless service without a spectrum leasing deal with a terrestrial carrier. Shares of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile fell, with Verizon posting its worst one-day drop since 2002.

• SpaceX is buying low-band 800MHz spectrum licenses
• FCC approved 15,000 Starlink Mobile Gen2 satellites for 2GHz
• New constellation promises over 100x the bandwidth of the current generation
• Verizon shares saw their worst one-day fall since 2002