SpaceX Looking to Use AWS-3 for Direct-to-Cell
The company said it would seek a waiver to use the terrestrial spectrum for satellite service.
The company said it would seek a waiver to use the terrestrial spectrum for satellite service.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2025 – SpaceX is aiming to use terrestrial spectrum from EchoStar for its direct-to-cell satellite service, the company told regulators Wednesday.
The company reached a deal to buy unpaired AWS-3 licenses from EchoStar earlier this month for $2.6 billion in stock, in addition to EchoStar’s 2 GigaHertz (GHz)/AWS-4 and H-block licenses it agreed to purchase previously for $17 billion.
The AWS-3 airwaves, originally the Advanced Wireless Service, are currently only allocated for terrestrial use, but the satellite operator told the Federal Communications Commission it’s hoping to use them for its planned next-generation direct-to-cell service.
Two of the three dominant global mobile equipment vendors are European, the partnership's governing board chair said.
The satellite TV operator says Nexstar withheld from FCC certain economic studies it provided the Justice Department. Nexstar had no comment
Supporters said electing commissioners would give residents more influence over electricity rates and energy policy.
ACLP said some ISPs may have more than they could handle in broadband deployment.
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