According to Tesla North, SpaceX’s Starlink internet service has received approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate on moving boats, planes, RVs, and more.
“Authorizing a new class of [customer] terminals for SpaceX’s satellite system will expand the range of broadband capabilities to meet the growing user demands that now require connectivity while on the move, whether driving an RV across the country, moving a freighter from Europe to a U.S. port, or while on a domestic or international flight,” FCC international bureau chief Tom Sullivan said in a Thursday authorization announcement.
As of May, SpaceX has more than 2,500 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) with over 400,000 subscribers across the globe.
Last month, Royal Caribbean announced a partnership with SpaceX to bring Starlink Wi-Fi to its cruise ships. However, SpaceX did not have FCC approval to operate Starlink aboard moving vessels at the time. In a filing with the FCC, Royal Caribbean urged the regulator to fast-track its review process for the license.
Starlink has also been tapped to provide inflight Wi-Fi for Hawaiian Airlines and JSX.
SpaceX launched Starlink for RVs back in May, offering internet connectivity wherever the service is available. The newly granted license allowing Starlink to be used in transit should further enhance the service’s value proposition for RV and truck owners.
As part of the approval, the FCC said Space is required to “accept any interference received from both current and future services authorized.” SpaceX is currently fighting DISH Network’s attempts at claiming rights to the 12 GHz spectrum, which the company claims will cause interference with Starlink signals in the U.S.
The FCC added that further investment in the service will “assume the risk that operations may be subject to additional conditions or requirements” from the federal regulator.
It’s unclear if Starlink on the move will be approved in Canada, but as history has shown, we’ll likely follow our neighbours down south for the same here.
