SpaceX asks FCC to block or restrict Viasat's Viasat-3 F2 satellite
SpaceX · Viasat
SpaceX petitioned the FCC to reconsider its Viasat-3 F2 grant, saying uncoordinated transmissions would interfere with Starlink terminals.
what happened
SpaceX filed a petition with the FCC on August 31 asking it to reconsider its July authorization of Viasat's Viasat-3 F2 satellite for the US market, per SatNews. SpaceX said uncoordinated Viasat-3 F2 transmissions in the shared 18.8-19.3 GHz downlink and 28.6-29.1 GHz uplink bands could exceed statutory equivalent power flux-density limits and degrade Starlink terminal throughput. SpaceX asked the FCC to condition any authorization on strict signal power caps, mandatory slant-angle masking to keep Viasat's spot beams off active Starlink terminals, and an automatic cease-operation provision if harmful interference is demonstrated.
why it matters
The FCC's July grant to Viasat-3 F2 already conditioned service on Viasat reaching an interference-coordination agreement with LEO operators; this petition tests how far the agency will enforce that condition before the satellite begins service, and sets up a precedent both companies need as they keep adding capacity in shared Ku/Ka spectrum. For resellers on either network, the outcome affects how soon Viasat-3 F2 capacity actually becomes usable in the Americas.
signal-to-noise
quick facts
- Companies
- SpaceX, Viasat
- Category
- regulatory
- Impact
- notable
- SNR
- 4 / 5
- Event date
- 2026-08-31
- Published
- 2026-09-07 13:19 UTC