FCC Approves Use of Starlink System on Vehicles

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted SpaceX permission to use its Starlink satellite-based Internet system in moving vehicles, including cars, trucks, boats and aircraft. This opens up the service to a wider range of users.

To access the system, users had to put a ground antenna or user terminal in a fixed position. Now the FCC has opened the way for a new class of user terminals that can connect to broadband satellites while on the move.

Meanwhile, the FCC has decided to reject a petition by Dish Network, which sought to ban the company from using frequencies in the 12 GHz band. However, the FCC will continue its review as it moves forward with rulemaking on the presence of ESIM devices in the 12 GHz band and has stated that SpaceX will comply with any future rules it establishes.

The FCC says it is in the public interest to approve the new capability:

Authorising a new class of terminals for SpaceX’s satellite system will expand the range of broadband capabilities to meet the growing user demands that now require connectivity while on the move, whether driving an RV across the country, moving a freighter from Europe to a U.S. port, or while on a domestic or international flight.

SpaceX is trying to expand the scope of Starlink. The company has struck deals with Hawaiian Airlines and private jet service JSX  to begin providing internet connectivity on its aircraft in the following years.

There are currently more than 2,400 SpaceX satellites in orbit with 400,000 users. The kit, which comes with a user terminal, costs $599 and then pays a monthly fee of $110.