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FCC Rejects SpaceX’s Big LEO Spectrum Share Request

4/25/2026

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Story summary
  • FCC dismissed SpaceX’s petition to use Mobile Satellite Service spectrum on April 23, 2026, preserving incumbents.
  • FCC kept exclusive use of the 1610-1617.775 MHz and 2483.5-2500 MHz “Big LEO” bands for Iridium and Globalstar.
  • FCC approved SpaceX’s purchase of EchoStar’s 2 GHz spectrum but denied its request to share the “Big LEO” bands.
  • The order follows Amazon’s $11 billion acquisition of Globalstar, letting Amazon Leo enter the direct-to-device market without a new spectrum fight.