The US Federal Communications Commission has opened more than 1,000 MHz of spectrum in the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands for satellite connectivity, including in-flight and on-ship use. The order, adopted on 30 September, specifically covers Earth stations in motion on aircraft and is aimed at expanding capacity for satellite broadband, traffic-routing and mobility services.
The 12.7 GHz band will support fixed-satellite service uplinks and downlinks, while the 42 GHz band will be used under a lighter licensing regime for satellite communications. The new framework is designed to improve connectivity for planes, ships, vehicles and residential satellite broadband, placing aviation operators and aero satcom suppliers among the immediate beneficiaries.
The commission paired the spectrum decision with wider rule changes affecting space activities and satellite licensing, as part of a broader deregulatory push. It also opened a further notice of proposed rulemaking on additional spectrum in the Ku- and Ka-bands and the D-band, signalling that the agency’s work on satellite capacity is continuing beyond this single allocation. For aircraft connectivity providers, the move potentially enlarges the spectrum base available for future in-flight services, but deployment still depends on equipment, licensing and network rollout choices.