November 26, 2024 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted its approval to T-Mobile offering cellular connectivity using SpaceX satellites. The partnership between T-Mobile and SpaceX will offer “supplemental coverage” in remote areas. T-Mobile gains approval from the FCC to offer cell coverage using SpaceX satellites Most of the cellular coverage American carriers offer, currently rely on large and bulky cell towers. However, commissioning such towers isn’t always viable in extremely remote areas. T-Mobile has been trying to address the issue of “cellular dead zones” across the US. The FCC granted temporary approval to T-Mobile and SpaceX in October. This allowed the companies to offer satellite-based connectivity features to affected areas in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Needless to say, this was just a glimpse of cellular connectivity using satellites. T-Mobile quickly managed to achieve the first satellite transmission of emergency alerts. However, the company now plans to offer cellular network coverage in remote areas by bouncing signals off of SpaceX satellites. How will T-Mobile offer cellular service from space? The FCC has reportedly given the green light to the SpaceX and T-Mobile partnership. This is the first time the FCC has authorized a satellite operator to collaborate with a wireless carrier. Together, T-Mobile and SpaceX will try to provide supplemental telecommunications coverage from space. To achieve cellular connectivity in remote areas, T-Mobile will use some flexible-use spectrum bands allocated to terrestrial service. The SpaceX satellites already have direct-to-cell technology. This can work with T-Mobile’s network to expand coverage in cellular dead zones.