SpaceX Petitions FCC to Block Viasat Satellite Over Starlink Interference Risk
SpaceX has petitioned the FCC to block Viasat's new satellite from entering service, citing concerns over radio interference with Starlink. SpaceX claims Viasat has failed to coordinate as required by its license conditions.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the growing regulatory challenges and competition in the crowded low-earth orbit satellite internet market.
<p>As <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/comparisons/starlink-vs-hughesnet-vs-viasat-which-satellite-internet-provider-is-best" target="_self">Viasat</a> prepares to offer faster internet speeds through a new satellite, SpaceX is trying to block it over concerns it'll cause "severe interference" to Starlink. </p><p>In a Friday <a href="https://fccprod.servicenowservices.com/icfs?id=ibfs_pc_summary&sys_id=27c95b6893038b104176171d48373c72" target="_blank" title="(Opens in a new tab)">petition</a>, SpaceX urged the Federal Communications Commission to reconsider its decision to green light US market access to the Viasat-3 F2 satellite, which is <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/viasats-100-plus-mbps-satellite-will-finally-enter-service-next-month" target="_self">scheduled</a> to enter service next month. "Viasat's utter disregard for Commission rules, its license conditions, and the harm it is causing to millions of American consumers has gone on for far too long," the company claimed. </p><p>According to the petition, Viasat has failed to reach a coordination agreement with SpaceX on preventing radio inference with Starlink and the F2 sat.
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