SpaceX tells FCC that T-Mobile is an incumbent trying to limit satellite service

SpaceX has told the Federal Communications Commission that T-Mobile is among the "incumbents" opposing rules that would expand satellite-to-phone service, PCMag reported.

The filing. The filing concerns U.S. positions for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference, where agenda item 1.13 covers spectrum for direct-to-device mobile-satellite service. SpaceX urged the FCC to reject T-Mobile's "proposed limits for base-station protection," saying they would create a buffer of more than 400 kilometers around base stations. "Unfortunately, the misplaced desire to harm a competitor has led many incumbents to oppose modernized rules that would bring direct-to-cell service to underserved border communities," SpaceX wrote.

The 2.5 GHz dispute. T-Mobile has separately asked the FCC to drop the 2.5 GHz band, the core of its Ultra Capacity 5G network, from a proposal to open more spectrum to satellite-to-phone service, arguing satellite signals would interfere with its terrestrial network, PCMag reported. The FCC voted on Oct. 29 to advance the satellite-to-phone proposal.

On T-Mobile's third-quarter earnings call, CEO Srini Gopalan said he sees "no room for an MVNO with SpaceX," Light Reading reported.