T-Mobile's satellite program, which is powered by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, only supports texting right now, but the two have promised data and call capabilities down the road. They may not be able to deliver on the promise though.
Relaxed interference rules were requested by SpaceX to provide robust satellite coverage. Competitors like AT&T, Verizon, and EchoStar argued that an increased limit would harm their operations.
Telecommunications company EchoStar has requested the FCC to review its decision. The company argues that the FCC waived the limit without having received any further technical proof from SpaceX. It also says that the FCC did not side with SpaceX and T-Mobile because it was convinced by their engineering analyses, but rather it granted the waiver because it did not want to hinder the widespread deployment of satellite service.
Eventually, the Bureau granted SpaceX’s SCS application but deferred ruling on the waiver. Just three months later, and without any further technical submissions added to the record after the deferral, the Bureau granted SpaceX’s waiver.
—EchoStar, April 2025
The FCC also didn't rule out the technical objections made by AT&T, Verizon, and EchoStar.
T-Mobile might not be able to offer satellite calling if the waiver SpaceX requested is revoked.
The company has also questioned the assumptions made by SpaceX about wireless devices operating in adjacent or nearby bands and says that it did not provide evidence that there would be no harmful interference.
The FCC has ordered SpaceX to "address any claims of harmful interference" from other companies, which EchoStar says puts the burden of protection on it. The company says that the FCC is required to prevent harmful interference and not just step in when it happens. It also says that it's really hard for "carriers to detect a particular source of interference."
EchoStar also fears that SpaceX has displayed the propensity to not take such complaints seriously and might get around them by denying their accuracy.
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The company has concluded that the "waiver is erroneous" and has asked the FCC to revise its decision.
If more companies raise objections, it might put T-Mobile and SpaceX's plan to offer more satellite capabilities in limbo.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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