Carriers challenge FCC's satellite‑phone plan

AT&T, T‑Mobile and Verizon have joined the wireless industry group CTIA to challenge a draft from the Federal Communications Commission that would let satellites connect directly to ordinary phones. The carriers raise concerns about interference and carrier control, and about the use of existing 5G frequencies. The move comes as SpaceX seeks access to 80,000 U.S. cell towers for its Starlink Mobile service.

Carriers' main objections

In a filing dated October 22, CTIA said its representatives had met separately with advisers to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioners Anna Gomez and Olivia Trusty on October 20. The carriers asked the agency to drop Time‑Division Duplex frequencies, including 2.5 GHz and 3.45 GHz, which they say are unsuitable for satellite use and already serve over 300 million users. They also opposed replacing current spectrum‑leasing rules with agreements that would let satellite and terrestrial operators share frequencies, and urged the FCC to preserve carrier consent, control and termination rights.

The FCC’s October 8 draft expands Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) by opening an additional 482 MHz of spectrum, raising the number of eligible bands from five to 13. The proposal is set to be reviewed in the agency’s October 29 open meeting. The draft follows the FCC’s approval of SpaceX’s purchase of Tristar’s AWS‑3 spectrum, a move that would let Starlink Mobile compete with the major carriers.

CTIA acknowledges that satellite connectivity could bring service to remote communities and disaster‑affected areas, but it remains worried about interference and loss of carrier control. SpaceX has not publicly responded to the filing.