Wire · regulatory
482MHz up for grabs: The FCC vote that could turn Starlink from partner to rival
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Fusion42 · 28 October 2026 · Fusion42 review
The US FCC is voting on a proposal to free 482MHz of spectrum for direct-to-device satellite services, expanding eligible bands from five to 13. Major US carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile oppose use of critical 2.5GHz and 3.45GHz bands by satellites, fearing interference with 5G networks as SpaceX aggressively expands Starlink Mobile into a rival carrier with significant spectrum acquisitions.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Telecom & Connectivity, and 27 sources have reported it between 7 Oct 2026 and 28 Oct 2026.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
The FCC is reshaping access to valuable spectrum with a showdown between carriers and satellites. If you build mobile or satellite hardware using 2.5GHz or 3.45GHz bands, prepare for rapid rule changes that could force you to shift technology or customer targeting.
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27 sources · first reported 7 Oct 2026 · latest 28 Oct 2026
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