If you’ve ever been dreaming of Starlink on the go? Imagine getting high-speed internet on a plane, at the top of a mountain, or out in the middle of the ocean, you are one step closer with Starlink! The fcc has finally approved SpaceX’s application for Starlink usage on vehicles in motion, including boats, RVs, airplanes, and more. So what does this mean, and how soon can you start using Starlink on the go?
Immobile yet still:
A quick refresher, Space X service Starlink’s massive satellite constellation is designed to bring low latency, high-speed broadband service to the world. However, with the existing Starlink service (including Starlink for RVs), you must be stationary every time you use the service. If you drive with Starlink left on, you not only void your warranty on your hardware, Starlink will disconnect your service. This license restriction on existing hardware will not change due to this announcement. However, the details of this new announcement are pretty revealing about Starlink’s future.
The details of Starlink on the go:
SpaceX has finally gotten approval from the fcc to deploy Starlink on the go. The fcc refers to moving satellite terminals as earth stations in motion or e-sim. FCC E Sim is not to be confused with the e-sim you find in modern smartphones. Starlink applied for e-sim last summer in 2021 and has been waiting patiently for the FCC to get back to them. They included a filing on a new mobile version of the Starlink dishy receiver as part of their application. The new Dishy has modifications to make it better suited for vehicle use. As of June 30th, 2022, the fcc approved SpaceX’s application but with a few crucial conditions but more on that later. So SpaceX now has permission to deploy Starlink onto vehicles in motion, including airplanes, boats, and RVs. The license extends to any u.s territories and into international water, so it is quite extensive.
The Impact:
The new FCC Licence opens the door for SpaceX to offer service to cruisers traveling in international waters officially. However, the fcc terminology and the fcc license did have a lot of caveats that SpaceX has 30 days to mull on whether to accept or reject and petition the fcc to modify. The biggest issue holding SpaceX up is how the 12 gigahertz spectrum will be used. Currently, SpaceX is using the 12 gigahertz spectrum for downlink communications from Starlink satellites. This happens to be the exact terrestrial spectrum that Dish Network wants to repurpose to use for 5g cellular. In granting this license to Starlink, the fcc denied Dish’s requests to block Starlink from being mobile. Dish takes a big L on this one, but the FCC clarified that they are not ruling yet on whether or not Dish will be able to use this 12 gigahertz spectrum for 5g.
The Fallout:
SpaceX is expected to start warning customers that there is a potential for future interference. It should be noted that this is not the end of the world, as the 12ghtz band in question is 12.2 to 12.7 gigahertz. This slice of spectrum is a band that SpaceX is presently using, and Dish desperately wants to use. At present, SpaceX is using that spectrum for downlink communication and has a license for 10.7 to 12.2. The fcc is putting SpaceX on notice that it will require Space X to inform customers about potential future interference and that in your use of Starlink, you can’t cause any future interference with other services on that slice of spectrum. The FCC is still deciding on the rules for that part of the frequency band.
So how do current Starlink systems work with Starlink e sim?
We already know that the existing terminals for sale work while moving. People have been modifying Starlink systems (disabling the motors) and have had a lot of success putting them in use in motion. But that is not what is being authorized by the FCC. The current fixed use license applies only to existing terminals as the new e-sim license is for a new class of devices. Now that SpaceX has a license, they presumably will be swift to announce this new type of hardware.
