Full Breakdown
FCC Moves Toward 25 MHz Spectrum Auction to Enable Direct-to-Device Satellite Services
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: FCC Schedules Vote on Spectrum Allocation
On October 7, the Federal Communications Commission announced it will vote on October 29 on a proposal to auction 25 megahertz of prime spectrum for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services. The same vote will consider making an additional 482 megahertz available for supplemental coverage from space and will address a rule change that would permit drone operations in the 800 MHz cellular band.
Background & Context
Direct-to-device technology allows smartphones to connect directly to satellites, bypassing terrestrial towers. SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper are both developing D2D capabilities. In January, the FCC approved SpaceX’s request to launch an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, bringing the constellation to 15,000 satellites. Amazon filed in July to launch up to 5,105 satellites aimed at users who are “unserved or underserved” by existing wireless providers, and in August announced an acquisition of Globalstar valued at more than $11.5 billion to bolster its Leo satellite internet business. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr spoke at a news conference on February 18, 2026, outlining the commission’s broader agenda for modernizing spectrum rules.
Data & Statistics
- Spectrum under consideration: 25 MHz (prime) plus 482 MHz (supplemental).
- SpaceX previously acquired 65 MHz of spectrum from EchoStar for $19.6 billion.
- Starlink fleet size after the latest approval: 15,000 satellites.
- Amazon’s planned constellation size: up to 5,105 satellites.
- FCC Chair Carr has projected that upcoming spectrum auctions could generate more than $100 billion in proceeds over the next few years.
Official Statements & Responses
Verbatim Quotes
- “The ‘direct-to-device’ proposals work to continue leveraging this cutting-edge tech to end cell phone dead zones and provide service directly from next-gen satellite constellations to your smartphone,” — FCC Chair Brendan Carr
What’s Next
The FCC’s vote is scheduled for October 29. If the proposals are approved, the auction of the 25 MHz prime spectrum will commence, followed by a public comment period on the supplemental 482 MHz allocation. The outcomes will shape the competitive landscape for satellite-based mobile connectivity and could influence rural broadband initiatives championed by the Biden administration.