Starlink. © SpaceX
The Federal Communications Commission has voted to update how satellites share radio spectrum.
This move aims to improve satellite internet for millions of Americans, bringing faster speeds, lower costs, and more reliable connections. It could also generate over $2 billion in economic benefits and increase space-based broadband capacity by up to seven times.
The new rules replace the old EPFD system with a more modern, performance-based approach that reflects today’s satellite technology, including smarter signal management like adaptive coding and modulation.
Instead of strict limits, satellite operators, both NGSO (low-orbit constellations) and GSO (geostationary satellites), can now work together and negotiate interference protections through private agreements.
The previous rules, created in the 1990s, restricted newer satellite systems based on outdated assumptions. As a result, they held back faster, low-latency internet, especially in rural and remote areas.
Why it matters:
This change removes outdated barriers, allowing modern satellite networks to operate more efficiently, meaning better, faster internet access for underserved regions and stronger growth in the space economy.
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