On March 17, the US Federal Communications Commission published a proposed framework to regulate the use of terrestrial wireless spectrum from space to connect smartphones to places beyond the reach of base stations. The framework sets ground rules for SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile, Lynk Global, and other satellite companies seeking permission from their ground mobile partners to provide spectrum direct-to-device services. The Proposed Ruling Statement (NPRM) was approved by all four FCC commissioners on March 16.

“There are challenges with access to airwaves, frequencies that are not globally compatible, opportunities for intervention that need to be managed, and working on standards that can help expand these opportunities,” FCC President Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement. she said.

“However, with the growing interest in the convergence of satellite and terrestrial services, it is clear that a one-size-fits-all approach to these new initiatives is not enough.”

The regulator said it will begin a 30-day period of public comments after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register at an unspecified date, with a response to comments 30 days after that. The first draft NPRM, which the FCC calls “Additional Coverage from Space” (SCS), was first distributed on February 23.

This initial draft proposed limiting direct-to-device SCS services to spectrum bands to which a single carrier has adjacent rights, and excluding the 700 MHz band that AT&T uses to connect emergency services as part of its FirstNet service. AT&T, which works with satellite communications startup AST SpaceMobile, said it was “overly restrictive” and urged the FCC to expand the framework.

While the latest version of NPRM still focuses on broad contiguous spectrum areas, it has been revised to address other opportunities as well. The spectrum that AT&T uses for FirstNet is also now considered a potential piece of infrastructure.

move fast

FCC Commissioner Nathan Symington said on March 16 that while the new regulatory model is a significant development for this emerging market, the regulator should not directly block app approvals on devices it already uses.

“The Federal Communications Commission must ensure that waiver requests are processed promptly to avoid disrupting business plans and future innovation,” Symington said. Said.

AST SpaceMobile Chief Strategy Officer Scott Wisniewski described the framework as a “really good first step” and said he was encouraged by the FCC’s intention to “act quickly”.

Lynk Global CEO Charles Miller also welcomed the proposed structure.

“This FCC action lays the groundwork for Lynk to obtain landing rights in the United States through a mobile network operator,” Miller said via email.

SpaceX, which partners with T-Mobile in the United States and Salt in Switzerland, recently announced plans to begin testing services directly to the device this year.