FCC Chair Criticizes Starlink’s Dominance, Calls for More Competition in Satellite Internet

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel criticized SpaceX's Starlink for holding a significant share of satellite internet services, emphasizing that the U.S. economy doesn’t benefit from monopolies. Rosenworcel urged more space companies to develop satellite constellations, advocating for increased competition in the growing space industry.

FCC Chair Calls for More Competition in Satellite Internet, Criticizes Starlink's Market Dominance

In a jab at SpaceX's Starlink, FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel stated that the U.S. economy "doesn't benefit from monopolies."

Rosenworcel urged additional space companies to pursue the development of their satellite internet products during a conference on September 11, expressing the expectation that this would provide a form of competition to SpaceX and Starlink.

She stated (as reported by Reuters):

“[Starlink has] almost two-thirds of the satellites that are in space right now and has a very high portion of internet traffic… Our economy doesn’t benefit from monopolies. So we’ve got to invite many more space actors in, many more companies that can develop constellations and innovations in space.”

Starlink consistently launches an increasing number of satellites into the atmosphere each week to expand internet access to the Earth and numerous of its remote regions.

In light of the intense competition in the communications sector, Rosenworcel asserted that "space should not be an exception."

The FCC is also implementing measures to increase competition. The agency has contacted potential entrants to assist them in comprehending the license application process and to motivate additional companies to introduce new products competing with Starlink.

SpaceX has no intention of delaying the deployment of Starlink or the production of kits. The terminals are constructed at the facility with an annual capacity of 4.6 million units.

The Mission 9-6 launch window will open at 7:45 p.m. PDT tomorrow, September 12, and the next SpaceX Starlink launch will occur from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

SpaceX's Texas Facility Produces 90,000 Starlink Terminals Weekly, Plans for Starlink Cellular Launch

According to reports, SpaceX's Starlink terminal facility in Bastrop, Texas, has an annual production capacity of 4.6 million units. According to local comments, the TX factory can produce 90,000 broadband terminals weekly.

Advanced Television has reported that SpaceX has additional facilities in California and Washington that may be involved in producing Starlink terminals. Therefore, SpaceX's production quantities of the approximate Starlink terminals are unknown.

Jonathan Hofeller, SpaceX's Vice President of Starlink, declared 2023 that the company was no longer incurring losses from terminal production. Before Hofeller's announcement, SpaceX provided subsidies to produce Starlink's terminals.

SpaceX is concentrating on the launch of Starlink Cellular, also known as Starlink direct to mobile phone, in collaboration with T-Mobile. Starlink Cellular anticipates eradicating dead zones.

Elon Musk clarified that Starlink Cellular will be exclusively available to T-Mobile in the United States during its initial year. SpaceX intends to make it accessible to additional carriers at a later date. Before releasing Starlink Cellular to all airlines, the company plans to collaborate with a single carrier in each country.