TAMPA, Fla. – The Federal Communications Commission voted Sept. 26 to open more spectrum to Starlink and other non-geostationary satellite operators (NGSO) to improve broadband speeds in the United States.

The regulator voted unanimously to allow NGSO operators access to frequencies in the 17.3-17.7 gigahertz band for satellite communications delivered to fixed points on Earth, such as a residential stationary antenna.

The decision provides 1,300 megahertz of contiguous spectrum in the 17 GHz band for NGSO fixed satellite services (FSS) operators to share with geostationary partners, subject to power limits and other conditions.

“This action promotes spectrum efficiency, promotes competition and expands the ability of satellite operators to provide advanced services, including high-speed Internet access in unserved and underserved areas,” the FCC said in a news release.

Geostationary satellite operators EchoStar and DirectTV had argued that NGSO operators should only be given secondary access to the spectrum to avoid interference.

Following a public comment process following the rule proposal two years ago, the FCC determined that NGSO FSS downlinks in the 17 GHz band are compatible with established GEO services on a co-primary basis.

However, in a public draft of the order, the regulator stated that NGSO FSS downlinks in the 17.7-17.8 GHz band could not claim similar protection from interference from existing and future fixed terrestrial services.

The FCC said the new rules are consistent with treaty-level agreements at the recent World Radiocommunication Conference, a United Nations-hosted event at which regulators try to coordinate the use of radio waves worldwide.

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