AT&T filed some concerns with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday over T-Mobile and Starlink owner SpaceX’s plans to let mobile phones connect with Starlink satellites (via ).
In its filing, AT&T argues that SCS, or “supplemental coverage from space,” shouldn’t inhibit terrestrial wireless service and that the FCC “must prioritize” protecting terrestrial networks, and that T-Mobile and SpaceX’s proposals don’t have enough details about potential interference. “The Applicants’ technical showings are woefully insufficient regarding the danger of harmful interference posed by their planned SCS deployments,” AT&T said. “SpaceX and T-Mobile’s applications fall far in need of meeting the brink for waiver and can’t be granted of their current state.”
AT&T’s filing was a part of a call for comments from the FCC on T-Mobile and SpaceX’s plans for the satellite-to-cellular service, which were announced in August 2022. The thought is that you just’d have the opportunity to connect with SpaceX’s second-generation Starlink satellites set to launch this 12 months out of your cell phone to do things like text or send MMS messages.
T-Mobile and SpaceX’s service isn’t expected to launch in beta until sometime before the top of this 12 months. But when the FCC throws up roadblocks following this call for comments, we is likely to be waiting even longer.