SpaceX Still at Odds on Sharing Rules with SES, Viasat

Why It Matters

Relaxing LEO power limits could dramatically expand broadband reach but also reshape market competition and risk interference with existing GSO services, making spectrum policy a pivotal battleground for the satellite industry.

Key Takeaways

• FCC reviewing higher power limits for LEO satellites.
• SpaceX argues limits hinder consumer broadband service.
• SES proposes data‑driven periodic adjustments to sharing rules.
• Viasat and DirecTV warn of interference risks.
• Power increase could cement Starlink’s market dominance.

Pulse Analysis

The FCC’s pending review of higher equivalent power flux density (EPFD) thresholds for LEO satellites reflects a broader shift toward accommodating next‑generation broadband constellations. By allowing Starlink and other LEO operators to transmit at greater power levels in the 10.7‑12.7 GHz, 17.3‑18.6 GHz and 19.7‑20.2 GHz bands, regulators aim to unlock additional capacity and improve service quality for millions of underserved users. However, the legacy geostationary (GSO) operators—Viasat, SES and DirecTV—argue that these bands were historically protected to prevent interference with their high‑value, long‑standing services. Their resistance underscores a classic clash between innovative, high‑throughput LEO networks and the entrenched satellite incumbents that have shaped the spectrum landscape for decades.

SES’s compromise proposal seeks a middle ground: a periodic implementation process with data‑driven adjustments, allowing the FCC to monitor real‑world interference and fine‑tune limits without dismantling the EPFD framework entirely. This approach could satisfy both sides by preserving GSO protection while granting LEO providers incremental flexibility. Yet SpaceX’s outright rejection of any compromise signals a strategic push to cement its dominant market position. By framing the existing rules as “overprotecting outdated GSO systems,” SpaceX is positioning itself as a consumer champion, a narrative that may resonate with policymakers focused on expanding rural broadband access.

The outcome of this regulatory tug‑of‑war will have ripple effects beyond the United States. Although the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC‑27) in Shanghai has no formal agenda item on the issue, experts warn that U.S. lobbying could shape global spectrum policy. A decision to raise power limits could accelerate Starlink’s capacity growth, potentially crowding out emerging LEO competitors and raising barriers to entry. Conversely, maintaining stricter limits would preserve a more level playing field but could slow the rollout of high‑speed satellite internet to underserved regions. Stakeholders, from satellite manufacturers to broadband advocates, will be watching the FCC’s final rulemaking closely, as it will define the balance between innovation, competition, and spectrum integrity for the next decade.