FCC Expands SpaceX Starlink Gen2 Authorization, Unlocking Global Direct-to-Cell Opportunity

New updates have been reported about SpaceX.

SpaceX secured a major regulatory win as the U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved the deployment of an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, lifting the company’s total permissible constellation to 15,000 Gen2 units. The ruling not only enables SpaceX to expand its global broadband footprint, but also authorizes these satellites to operate across five frequencies and to support direct-to-cell connectivity outside the United States, as well as provide supplemental coverage within U.S. territory. This significantly strengthens SpaceX’s strategic positioning in satellite-to-smartphone services and enhances the commercial potential of Starlink as a global connectivity platform spanning consumer, enterprise, mobility, and potentially government users. While SpaceX had sought approval for nearly 30,000 Gen2 satellites, the FCC chose to defer authorization of the remaining 14,988 proposed units, indicating it will proceed in stages as it assesses spectrum use, orbital debris, and interference impacts.

From an execution standpoint, the authorization comes with clear deployment milestones: SpaceX must place 50% of the newly approved satellites into orbit by December 1, 2028, and the remainder by December 2031. These deadlines effectively lock in a long-term launch and capital expenditure pipeline, reinforcing demand for SpaceX’s launch services while also imposing schedule discipline on Starlink’s network build-out. The expanded frequency and direct-to-cell allowances support SpaceX’s strategy to deepen penetration in underserved regions and to compete more directly with terrestrial mobile networks and emerging satellite-to-cell entrants. For investors, partners, and enterprise customers, the decision signals regulatory confidence in Starlink’s next phase of growth, while the partial deferral of the larger constellation underscores that future expansion will remain contingent on ongoing technical and regulatory reviews, including spectrum coordination and space sustainability considerations.