FCC lets SpaceX take over Tristar's AWS-3 spectrum for D2D network
The FCC approved transferring three unbuilt AWS-3 licenses from Tristar to SpaceX for its direct-to-device network, waiving reauction.
what happened
The FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau granted SpaceX's Starlink Spectrum Holdings subsidiary control of three AWS-3 licenses (1695-1710 MHz) held by Tristar License Group's TLG Unpaired Holdings, covering 62 counties across eight states and about 4% of the US population, per the Commission's Memorandum Opinion and Order adopted and released October 21. Tristar had not built out the licenses and could not meet the renewal standard, so rather than letting them revert to FCC inventory for reauction, the Commission waived the standard construction and renewal rules and instead imposed new direct-to-device buildout and performance conditions; SpaceX will be attributed 75 megahertz of spectrum in each license area after the transaction closes.
why it matters
This is SpaceX's latest spectrum pickup after its larger EchoStar purchase, adding another slice of low-band uplink spectrum to its direct-to-device buildout without a competitive auction. It is incremental rather than a standalone shift in SpaceX's market position, but it confirms the FCC continuing to clear secondary-market transfers of unbuilt spectrum to SpaceX's D2D network, a path other direct-to-device aspirants may look to use themselves.
signal-to-noise
quick facts
- Companies
- SpaceX
- Category
- regulatory
- Impact
- notable
- SNR
- 5 / 5
- Event date
- 2026-10-22
- Published
- 2026-10-22 22:20 UTC