AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are challenging an FCC regulatory proposal that could open 482MHz of spectrum for satellite-to-phone services.
Major carriers warn of potential interference issues as satellite providers expand connectivity options.
The controversy concerns a proposal by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is considering opening up radio frequencies to services that connect mobile phones directly to satellites. Elon Musk's Starlink Mobile service is seeking more space in those frequencies to be able to develop.
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have met with FCC officials and asked to remove certain frequency bands from the proposal. They argue that the use of these areas by satellites will cause interference and degrade the quality of their existing networks.
The reaction of providers and warnings
According to the official documents filed, the CTIA association of cellular companies has been asking from the beginning to exclude these frequencies from the satellite plan, warning of technical problems and risks to networks. The association's head and former FCC chairman Ajit Pai joined in this effort, who met with the current chairman of the commission to request a change in the proposal.
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This is not the first time the three major carriers have collaborated against SpaceX's plans, as they previously announced their own consortium to combine forces. Elon Musk's company plans to offer mobile phone services in the US market, with the FCC also considering separate requests for satellite licenses and access to mobile phone ground antennas.
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