The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday gave the green light to Boing’s satellite broadband application. Boeing will soon be launching and managing 147 satellites for providing high-speed broadband.
Satellite broadband: The top contenders
Initially, Boeing applied for approval to develop a V-band constellation of low earth orbit satellites in 2017. However, the FCC did not approve this request. The FCC was against operating inter-satellite links in specific frequency bands that are not allocated for operations on fixed-satellite service internationally. However now, there is a growing need and effort for deploying satellite-based internet.
In 2019, SpaceX also urged the FCC to refuse Boeing’s application. They cited that it showed a “clear danger of harmful interference to other systems” or “at a minimum impose appropriate conditions to ensure that Boeing’s operations do not harm those of other” drivers. Recently in April, SpaceX’s plan to deploy Starlink satellites to the lower earth orbit was approved. Additionally, SpaceX applied for the approval of 2,824 satellites at the same level. SpaceX’s Starlink is planning to provide broadband services to people in remote areas who cannot access the internet, This catalyzed more plans from other space broadband providers.
The race of launching low-earth-orbit satellites
It’s not just Boeing and SpaceX. In July 202., Amazon revealed its interest in investing over $10 billion in building a satellite network of 3,236 low-earth-orbit satellites. Earlier this week Amazon asked for FCC’s approval for launching two of them. SpaceX is eventually planning to send a total of 12,000 satellites that aim to provide satellite internet.
Despite the heavy costs that come with deploying the satellites, this technology can provide high-speed internet. The service is very helpful for people living in hard-to-serve areas and rural areas. After all, it is very difficult to provide broadband through towers or fiber optic cables to these areas. Additionally, satellites can aid in providing communication to rural areas when environmental disasters occur.
