FCC authorizes 15,000 SpaceX direct-to-device satellites

On Oct. 6, 2026 the FCC granted in part SpaceX authority to deploy and operate 15,000 NGSO satellites (call sign S00735, DA-26-1078) for U.S. supplemental coverage from space and mobile satellite service, plus MSS and direct-to-cell outside the United States, with FSS backhaul and TT&C. SpaceX must launch, place, and operate 50% of the authorized stations by Oct. 7, 2032 and complete the constellation by Oct. 7, 2035. Commercial use of EchoStar-assigned AWS-3, AWS-H, and 2 GHz MSS bands remains conditioned on Step Two of the SpaceX-EchoStar transaction. The FCC also waived the terrestrial-lease rule for specified AWS-3 and AWS-H SCS operations, with conditions.