The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved SpaceX to provide satellite coverage direct to mobile devices through its Starlink service.
It will allow SpaceX to push forward with its partnership with T-Mobile to deploy mobile signal connectivity from space to cover dead spots.
The license is the first between a satellite operator and a mobile carrier to be approved by the regulator to provide cell coverage from space.
“The Commission recognized that satellite-to-device connectivity can support critical public interest benefits, including ubiquitous connectivity, access to 911 service from remote areas, technological advancement, and innovative spectrum use,” said the FCC in its filing.
Elon Musk-owned SpaceX filed for regulatory approval for its Starlink satellites more than two years ago but faced a lengthy battle to receive the FCC's approval.
SpaceX has been given permission to use cellular frequencies from T-Mobile via its existing Gen2 Starlink constellation, with the 7,500 satellites allowed to operate at orbital altitudes of 340 to 360km using the Ku-, Ka-, E-, and V-band frequencies.
The FCC told SpaceX it is authorized to "conduct operations using its very high frequency (VHF) beacons at altitudes of 340km, 345km, 350km, and 360km."
However, based on a recommendation from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), SpaceX’s deployment and operations at altitudes below 400km are "conditioned on successful physical coordination with NASA to ensure protection of the International Space Station (ISS), ISS visiting vehicles, and launch windows for NASA science missions."
Although SpaceX has been given the go-ahead to operate 7,500 satellites, its request to operate an additional 22,488 satellites, within the 340km, 345km, 350km, and 360km orbital shells, has been deferred by the Commission.
SpaceX and T-Mobile were given temporary authority to use Starlink satellites to provide direct-to-cell coverage for cellphones in areas of North Carolina hard-hit by Hurricane Helene last month.
T-Mobile and SpaceX first announced a partnership in August 2022, when the carrier set out plans to provide mobile signal connectivity from space with the target of leaving no area without coverage in the US.
Last month, Musk confirmed that SpaceX's satellite broadband subsidiary Starlink will provide mobile phone Internet in the US exclusively to T-Mobile for just one year.
T-Mobile's domestic rivals AT&T and Verizon previously told the FCC to delay T-Mobile and Starlink's planned direct-to-cell satellite service, claiming that the plans would harm their respective mobile broadband networks.
SpaceX said its proposed SCS operations will not harm its competitors, while the company along with T-Mobile has claimed the filings are a tactic to delay its deployment of the service.
AT&T and Verizon have their own partnerships with AST SpaceMobile to provide 100 percent coverage across North America through messaging services.