FCC manages satellite spectrum access and interference disputes

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is addressing growing complexities in satellite spectrum management through new regulatory actions and petitions.

In one development, the FCC has launched a consultation seeking public feedback on improving radio frequency access for commercial and federal space activities. The inquiry focuses on the entire mission chain, including pre-launch testing, telemetry, tracking, command, reentry, and on-orbit operations. The agency is specifically examining frequency bands totaling 215 MHz, which currently hold secondary status relative to existing services, and considering a shift toward a modern, database-driven light-licensing and coordination model.

Simultaneously, SpaceX has petitioned the FCC to block or strictly condition a proposed satellite deployment by geostationary operator Viasat. SpaceX argues that Viasat’s planned radio frequency allocation and orbital configuration would cause harmful electromagnetic interference with the Starlink Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation. The dispute highlights ongoing friction between legacy radio frequency rules and the advanced beamforming capabilities used by modern LEO megaconstellations, particularly regarding Equivalent Power Flux-Density (EPFD) limits in the Ku- and Ka-bands.