Major boost for Starlink

The US Federal Communications Commission plans to vote on April 30 on rule revisions that would ease power limits on satellite spectrum use, potentially boosting space-based broadband capacity up to seven times current levels. The changes, which could generate $2 billion in economic benefits, would enable higher speeds, lower costs, and better rural connectivity for services like SpaceX's Starlink. SpaceX filed for the rule changes in August 2024, arguing current 1990s-era regulations unnecessarily restrict next-generation satellite systems. Competitors Viasat and DirecTV have raised interference concerns in opposition.