The FCC has made 1,025 MHz of spectrum across the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands available for fixed-satellite services, betting up to $4.8 billion in economic gains on continued satellite broadband growth. The US regulator estimates the new rules will generate $0.7–4.8 billion in producer surplus as satellite operators deploy new networks in the two underused bands.

The decision reshapes band plans the Commission has wrestled with since 2022, when it first examined 12.7 GHz for terrestrial 5G and 6G broadband. Since then, heavy investment from SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Leo constellation shifted the FCC's priorities toward satellite downlinks. Some 525 MHz in the 12.7 GHz band (12.7–13.25 GHz) will now carry high-speed consumer broadband plus on-ship and in-flight connectivity.

The same band will host satellite gateway stations that link orbital traffic to the terrestrial internet. SpaceX already runs roughly 150 of these gateways worldwide, a scale that signals immediate demand for the new allocations.

What does the 42 GHz band change?

The 42 GHz band (42–42.5 GHz) carries no federal assignments. Several US companies, including AST SpaceMobile, already use it for feeder links outside the country. The FCC now formalizes that use domestically, assigning the band to V-band (40–75 GHz) feeder link traffic and fixed-satellite downlinks.

"Much of the spectrum subject to this proceeding is underused and increased access to these bands by satellite communications would encourage a more efficient and intensive use of the bands," the FCC said.

The two bands get different licensing regimes. The FCC will grant blanket licensing for 12.7 GHz satellite uplinks to earth-stations-in-motion — terminals on aircraft and vessels communicating with geostationary satellites. The 42 GHz band gets no blanket licensing. The Commission wants to limit Earth station density there to preserve long-term compatibility with existing NGSO and GSO systems.

How real is the interference risk?

Federal users overlap the portion of 12.7 GHz now opened to commerce. Earth exploration satellite services, aeronautical radio-navigation and science research users hold primary rights in the adjacent 13.25–13.4 GHz and 13.4–13.75 GHz bands. The FCC has made coordination talks with the Inter-Departmental Radio Advisory Committee mandatory to prevent harmful interference — a concrete procedural hurdle for any licensee planning gateway deployments.

The Commission separates its economic modelling from vendor enthusiasm. "By increasing the supply of satellite spectrum and enabling more intensive and efficient use of the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands, the rules support measurable gains in producer surplus through enhanced capacity, improved operational efficiency, and expanded opportunities for innovation and investment," the FCC said. The $0.7–4.8 billion range itself reflects that uncertainty: the low end assumes modest uptake, the high end assumes aggressive network rollout.

What comes next for Ka, Ku and D-bands?

The FCC is also seeking comment on restructuring the Ka (26.5–40 GHz), Ku (12–18 GHz) and D-bands (110–170 GHz). Specific Ku slices under proposal are 13.75–14 GHz, 14.5–15.35 GHz and 15.43–15.63 GHz. Each would receive new fixed-satellite service allocations matching its uplink or downlink role.

The Ka band is already heavily used, yet the FCC proposes three additional slices: 18.6–18.8 GHz, 19.4–19.6 GHz and 29.1–29.25 GHz. Each carries restrictions blocking feeder link use or primary fixed-satellite status.

The D-band is the outlier. Sparse non-federal usage today means the FCC sees room to open 138.25 GHz of spectrum there — by far the largest quantity in the proceeding. Proposed primary fixed-satellite allocations cover 122.25–148.5 GHz, 151.5–164 GHz, 167–174.8 GHz, 191.8–200 GHz, 209–226 GHz, 231.5–250 GHz and 252–300 GHz.

The regulator also seeks input on spectrum for TT&C — telemetry, tracking and command — the control channel for spacecraft, examining parts of Ka, Ku and D-band for that function.

Is the FCC clearing room for "weird space stuff"?

Yes. The Commission wants to open bands for "emergent space operations": space manufacturing, orbiting data centres and experimental technologies that fit no traditional regulatory category. The 2360–2395 MHz, 13.25–13.4 GHz and 100–300 GHz ranges could all support these operations and the inter-satellite links they need.

Comment is open on whether 13.25 GHz spectrum could serve "communications in support of emergent space operations limited to space research and in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing."

FCC chair Brendan Carr signalled more to come: "We will continue to survey the Table of Frequency Allocations for more spectrum and take regular action in these dockets on a predictable cadence. Where we see bottlenecks holding back US investment and innovation, we won't hesitate to act when spectrum abundance is the solution."

For satellite operators, the immediate work is filing in 12.7 GHz under the new blanket licensing terms and initiating IRAC coordination. The Ka, Ku and D-band proposals remain at the comment stage, with the FCC promising further action on a regular cycle.