The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved an application from the Boeing Company for a licence to construct, deploy, and operate a satellite constellation. As detailed in its FCC application, Boeing plans to provide broadband and communications services for residential, commercial, institutional, governmental and professional users in the US and globally.
As per the FCC Order, Boeing has been authorised to launch a non-geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service system using frequencies in portions of the V-band (37.5GHz-40GHz, 40GHz-42GHz, 47.2GHz-50.2GHz and 50.4GHz-51.4GHz), and to operate inter-satellite links (ISLs) using frequencies in portions of the V-band (65GHz-71GHz band).
The decision clears the way for Boeing to enter an increasingly crowded Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband sector, alongside the likes of Elon Musk’s SpaceX (Starlink), Jeff Bezos-backed Project Kuiper and UK-based OneWeb.