Omnispace Reports Interference from SpaceX Starlink Satellites, Testing New FCC Regulations

Omnispace, a satellite communications company, has reported experiencing interference from direct-to-device payloads on recently launched SpaceX Starlink satellites, marking an early test of new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.

“We’ve talked in the past about there being academic evidence, engineering studies. What we are actually seeing now with those satellites in operation is empirical evidence...You see the noise floor on our satellites increase to the degree that services cannot be provided.” - George Giagtzoglou, Omnispace, Vice President of Strategy

SpaceX has been accelerating the deployment of Starlink satellites equipped with experimental direct-to-device payloads intended to communicate directly with unmodified mobile phones. This includes two Falcon 9 launches from California on May 10 and May 14, each carrying 13 such satellites, part of a total of 20+ Starlink satellites launched per mission.

Omnispace, has been a critic of SpaceX’s collaboration with mobile network operator T-Mobile in the U.S. for direct-to-device services using terrestrial T-Mobile spectrum, with claims this partnership interferes with their own mobile satellite services (MSS) assignment from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Omnispace has ambitious plans for a constellation of over 600 satellites but currently operates only a few experimental satellites in low and medium Earth orbits.

“There are rules about this. We have rights from the ITU to operate our satellites in our band, in our orbits...It’s fine to sort of move fast and break things, but at some point things will get shut down when they interfere with regulations.” - George Giagtzoglou, Omnispace, Vice President of Strategy

The interference issue could become a significant test for the new FCC regulations adopted in March regarding direct-to-device satellite services, known as Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS). These regulations classify SCS as secondary to primary frequency allocations, such as Omnispace’s MSS assignment.

While Omnispace welcomed the FCC’s decision, they remain concerned about potential interference from Starlink’s direct-to-device payloads.

Despite the interference challenges, Omnispace remain optimistic about the future of direct-to-device satellite services for mobile handsets and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

“The changes that we’re looking at here are substantial and revolutionary for the satellite industry,” - George Giagtzoglou, Omnispace, Vice President of Strategy

Tthe vast potential of these services, which include helping mobile network operators fill coverage gaps and enabling new applications, such as vehicle telematics. Many of these applications will require partnerships with mobile network operators.

Image Credit : Gavin R. for TLPNetwork.com