FCC finally authorises SpaceX to roll out satellite broadband to anything that moves
The future of communications could be purely space based and Elon Musk is building a $100 billion business off of it.
Key takeaways
- In a massive boost for the company and anyone and anything that wants to be connected wherever they are on the planet SpaceX's satellite internet service StarLink is growing, and growing, and growing.
- SpaceX has also recently announced partnerships with Delta and Hawaiian Airlines to potentially offer the service aboard their aircraft.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2022) 'FCC finally authorises SpaceX to roll out satellite broadband to anything that moves', 311 Institute, 14 July. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/fcc-finally-authorises-spacex-to-roll-out-satellite-broadband-to-anything-that-moves/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
In a massive boost for the company and anyone and anything that wants to be connected wherever they are on the planet SpaceX's satellite internet service StarLink is growing, and growing, and growing. And now it’s officially going mobile after the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday gave the company, which already provides satellite internet to homes, permission to extend its Starlink WiFi service to vehicles that include everything from aircraft, drones, and trains, to cargo ships and pleasure craft.
"We agree with SpaceX... that the public interest would benefit by granting with conditions their applications," The FCC wrote in its authorization letter. "Authorizing a new class of 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 US port, or while on a domestic or international flight."
The Future of Communications, by Keynote Speaker Matthew Griffin
Starlink had already begun expanding its terrestrial footprint, even before the FCC decision, installing receiver dishes at Tesla Supercharger stations, raising prices and unveiling a $500 per month Premium service tier. SpaceX has also recently announced partnerships with Delta and Hawaiian Airlines to potentially offer the service aboard their aircraft.
SpaceX, and CEO Elon Musk, have also played the hero in recent months by offering an "internet bridge" to volcano-devastated Tonga and providing Starlink terminals to the Ukraine government — a generous offer that was, like most of Musk's ventures, footed by the American taxpayer.
The internet service — more specifically, the massive constellation of microsatellites in Low Earth Orbit that enable it — has also drawn condemnation from astronomers worldwide who argue that the highly reflective satellites, of which there currently more than 2,200 in orbit and which Musk wants 40,000 more of, are grossly interfering with the operation of ground based telescopes.
However, while astronomers everywhere are increasingly angry about the situation after this latest authorisation soon you’ll be able to stream Netflix in glorious 8K definition wherever your cargo ship is on the planet.
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The future of communications could be purely space based and Elon Musk is building a $100 billion business off of it.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 14 July 2022. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2022). FCC finally authorises SpaceX to roll out satellite broadband to anything that moves. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/fcc-finally-authorises-spacex-to-roll-out-satellite-broadband-to-anything-that-moves/
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