The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote on September 30 on opening more than 1,000 megahertz in the 12 and 42 gigahertz bands. These radio frequencies, which are part of the electromagnetic spectrum used for communication, will be reserved for residential satellite broadband, connectivity on airplanes and ships, and links between satellites. The FCC, which oversees the assignment of radio frequencies in the U.S., is preparing to expand the amount of spectrum allocated for telecommunications satellites. During its monthly open meeting, the FCC’s commissioners are expected to approve the opening of the 12 and 42 gigahertz bands, which will provide over 1,000 megahertz of additional capacity. These frequencies will be used for a variety of services, including high-speed internet for homes, internet access on airplanes and ships, and direct communication between satellites. According to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, this move is expected to boost American innovation and maintain competitive internet options for households. He also believes the reform will support economic growth in sectors such as aviation and telecommunications. The expansion primarily benefits SpaceX, which operates nearly 10,000 satellites through its Starlink network, serving over 10 million users globally. SpaceX’s Direct to Cell service connects mobile phones directly to satellites, providing internet access in remote areas and at sea, in partnership with T-Mobile US, Rogers, and KDDI. In 2025, SpaceX invested around $17 billion to purchase frequencies from EchoStar, a U.S. satellite operator. SpaceX faces competition from Amazon’s Low Earth Orbit (Leo) constellation, which plans to launch its first satellites later this year. American Airlines is also expected to install Starlink internet on its planes this year, improving in-flight connectivity for passengers. In addition to opening new satellite bands, the FCC has reallocated 160 megahertz of the C-band to U.S. terrestrial mobile networks. This decision involved paying $5.6 billion to Luxembourg’s SES and $504 million to France’s Eutelsat. In Europe, four major telecom companies—Orange, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and Telefónica—are forming a consortium to bid for the 2 gigahertz band in an upcoming auction. The European Commission has proposed a unified selection process for this band, which is ideal for direct mobile connectivity in areas without terrestrial coverage. SES and Eutelsat are also involved in the SpaceRISE project, which aims to build a satellite constellation for the European Union, with the first launches planned for 2029. Opening a radio band involves the regulator officially authorizing specific uses on a portion of the spectrum, including setting technical rules such as power levels, zones, and protections against interference. The "1,000 MHz" refers to the width of the spectrum available: the larger the bandwidth, the more data can be transmitted or more users and services can coexist. At these higher frequencies, the potential capacity increases, but the range and sensitivity to obstacles may require more infrastructure, such as antennas and satellites, to maintain service quality. Managing interference with existing or neighboring services is another key challenge. An intersatellite link (ISL) is a direct connection between two satellites, often using lasers, which allows data to be transmitted without going through a ground station. This reduces reliance on terrestrial infrastructure, enabling data to "hop" from one satellite to another until it reaches a ground connection. ISLs can reduce latency, improve reliability, and extend service to oceans and remote areas. However, they require precise coordination of radio and optical systems, along with advanced network management techniques, similar to routing data in a constantly moving environment. The C-band is a range of frequencies traditionally used by satellites for broadcasting and data services because it is less affected by rain than higher bands. When regulators reallocate part of the C-band to terrestrial mobile networks, they must ensure that the new uses don’t interfere with existing satellite services. This can involve reconfiguring satellite operations, adding filters, upgrading ground equipment, or moving users to different frequencies. Compensation is often provided to cover these costs and to speed up the transition of spectrum to mobile operators.