FCC Grants Waiver to Expand Satellite-to-Phone Coverage
Joint Request Made by SpaceX, T-Mobile
The FCC has approved a joint request from T-Mobile USA and SpaceX to waive several regulatory requirements, allowing more consumer smartphones to access satellite-based services under the Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) initiative.
The waiver permits handsets certified before June 29, 2024—but not yet authorized under satellite-specific rules—to connect to the Starlink satellite network via T-Mobile’s terrestrial infrastructure. This move aims to extend emergency and basic messaging services to remote and disaster-affected areas where traditional cellular coverage is unavailable.
The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology and the Space Bureau granted the waiver for sections 2.805(a), 25.125(c), and 25.125(d)(3) of its rules, and independently waived section 25.115(q)(1). However, the Commission denied a request to waive section 25.125(e), stating it was unnecessary for the intended service expansion.
T-Mobile and SpaceX argued that many compatible devices are already in use but cannot access SCS due to manufacturers not updating their equipment certifications. The FCC agreed that denying access would be against the public interest, especially during emergencies, and emphasized that the waiver applies only to non-security-risk devices not listed on the FCC’s Covered List.
The decision follows successful emergency deployments of SCS services during hurricanes in Florida and North Carolina and wildfires in California, where no harmful interference was reported.
The FCC emphasized that while this waiver helps bridge connectivity gaps, manufacturers remain responsible for updating certifications for devices authorized after June 29, 2024.
As a result of the decision, more existing smartphones will be able to connect to satellites for emergency messaging, even if they weren’t originally certified for satellite use. This could have major implications for emergency services in disaster-prone or rural areas where traditional cell towers could be unavailable or damaged.
The move could also accelerate the adoption of satellite-to-phone services, pushing other carriers and satellite providers to develop similar offerings, and encourage manufacturers to prioritize satellite compatibility in future devices.