FCC approves Boeing's bid for satellite broadband

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AEROSPACE & DEFENCE

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given the green light for Boeing to set up a satellite broadband network, effectively allowing it to compete in the burgeoning low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite market alongside other major players such as SpaceX and Amazon.

The aerospace company has laid out plans to launch 147 satellites into orbit to provide high-speed broadband internet connections both domestically and for international customers.

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Boeing first applied for FCC approval to launch a network constellation in 2017, seeking approval for a V-band made up of LEO satellites.

The company's plans were met with some fierce competition, most notably from SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who felt the satellites could cause interference with existing networks, including his company's Starlink system, which is currently composed of over 1600 satellites.

As a result, the FCC has rejected Boeing's bid to operate its satellites in portions of the frequency band not generally allocated internationally for satellite-to-satellite chatter.

While the company is yet to announce when the constellation will be launched or what the services will be used for, the company did reveal it would operate at far higher altitudes than SpaceX's constellation.

“Advanced satellite broadband services have an important role to play in connecting hard-to-serve communities,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement detailing the approval of Boeing's ambitions. 

“We are committed to a careful and detailed review of all such applications and I thank the International Bureau team for their work completing this first round of NGSO applications", she added.

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One particular advantage of LEO satellite internet systems is they can provide better network speeds to those living in rural areas - which can be advantageous for larger countries such as the US.

However, setting up such as network requires high initial capital expenditure, but it does represent a growing and highly lucrative market for those able to participate.

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