Elon Musk is completely opposed to recent proposals from Dish and RS Access to exploit the 12 Ghz frequency band to improve 5G performance. In a tweet, the CEO of SpaceX spoke of the catastrophic consequences for Starlink of this proposal that the two operators are trying to pass through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). A possible cohabitation will cause an interruption of services most of the time.
Why Elon Musk does not want 5G?
The network war between SpaceX, Dish and RS Access dates back to the feasibility study of sharing terrestrial 5G networks, with the frequency of Starlink satellite networks in orbit. The study was published in response to a consultation launched by the FCC with operators, concerning the best ways to exploit the 12 GHz band.
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Suspicious of the conclusions of this study, SpaceX launched a counter-analysis which revealed ” glaring errors » and « wrong assumptions “. The report states that “ the launch of mobile service in the 12 GHz band would cause interference with services already allocated and that operating in this range will disrupt next-generation satellite service delivered to Americans across the country », before adding that internet access would be « completely unavailable 74% of the time “.
Their attempt to bait and switch satellite spectrum for cellular spectrum is super shady and unethical.
If they are successful, it would hurt the least served and completely unserved of the world. Very messed up.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 21, 2022
SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, calls for an ethics investigation
For now, Elon Musk’s company has not contented itself with refuting the Dish and RS Access report. SpaceX has requested that the FCC investigate whether Dish and RS Access filed intentionally misleading reports. SpaceX’s senior director of satellite policy, David Goldman, denounced the arguments ” frivolous of the two operators in a letter sent to the FCC.
Today, SpaceX has 2,700 satellites in low orbit which allow 400,000 subscribers to access an internet connection. To expand coverage in remote and rural areas, the company plans to expand the Starlink constellation to 42,000 satellites.