FCC proposes opening unlicensed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth bands to satellites
Hubble Network · Spire Global · Vast
FCC proposes letting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and IoT devices link directly to satellites across 225+ MHz of unlicensed spectrum.
what happened
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced July 15 a proposal to let Part 15 unlicensed devices, including Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth transmitters and IoT sensors, communicate directly with FCC-authorized satellites across three bands totaling more than 225 MHz (902-928 MHz, 2400-2483.5 MHz, and 5725-5850 MHz), per Via Satellite and Payload. The FCC voted unanimously August 6 to adopt the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and seek public comment, per Broadband Breakfast, but the adopted item dropped the proposed 902-928 MHz band from consideration, leaving the 2400-2483.5 MHz and 5725-5850 MHz bands, roughly 200 MHz, under review.
why it matters
Hubble Network and Spire already hold narrow FCC waivers to use these bands for direct-to-device links; a rule change would let them and other operators use the spectrum without individual waivers, unlike the tens of billions spent on licensed D2D spectrum by SpaceX, Amazon and Rocket Lab. Vast's plan to host Wi-Fi access points on its Haven-1 station could also benefit.
signal-to-noise
quick facts
- Companies
- Hubble Network, Spire Global, Vast
- Category
- regulatory
- Impact
- notable
- SNR
- 4 / 5
- Event date
- 2026-07-15
- Published
- 2026-07-22 05:33 UTC