Overview
- SpaceX must place 50% of the authorized Gen2 satellites into operation by December 1, 2028, with the remainder by December 2031.
- The FCC is proceeding incrementally and deferred action on the rest of SpaceX’s roughly 30,000‑satellite Gen2 proposal.
- Approval enables operations in additional frequency bands and lower orbital shells, supporting up to 1 Gbps service, direct‑to‑cell connectivity outside the U.S., and supplemental mobile coverage within the country.
- The order grants a time‑limited waiver of equivalent power flux density limits while the FCC reviews those protections for geostationary satellites.
- The FCC cited early Gen2 reliability data with only two reported disposal failures in year one, as rivals raised interference and competition objections and Chinese entities filed large constellation plans with the ITU.