FCC lets Starlink present service to cell telephones in areas hit by hurricane – Cyber Tech

The Federal Communications Fee gave Starlink and T-Cell emergency authority to supply satellite-to-phone protection in areas hit by Hurricane Helene.

“SpaceX and T-Cell have been given emergency particular momentary authority by the FCC to allow Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell functionality to supply protection for cell telephones within the affected areas of Hurricane Helene,” SpaceX mentioned yesterday. “The satellites have already been enabled and began broadcasting emergency alerts to cell telephones on all networks in North Carolina. As well as, we could take a look at fundamental texting (SMS) capabilities for many cell telephones on the T-Cell community in North Carolina.”

SpaceX warned of limits because the service is not prepared for a business rollout. “SpaceX’s direct-to-cell constellation has not been absolutely deployed, so all providers will probably be delivered on a best-effort foundation,” the corporate mentioned.

Starlink is getting used to supply wi-fi emergency alerts to cell telephones from all carriers in North Carolina, in line with Ben Longmier, senior director of satellite tv for pc engineering for SpaceX. “We’re additionally carefully monitoring Hurricane Milton and standing by able to take motion in Florida,” he wrote.

Non permanent spectrum authority

The FCC mentioned the approval “enabl[es] SpaceX to function Supplemental Protection from House (SCS) within the 1910–1915 MHz and 1990–1995 MHz frequency bands leased from T-Cell in areas affected by the Hurricane Helene.” An FCC spokesperson instructed Ars that the approval is for all areas affected by Hurricane Helene, though it is solely energetic in North Carolina thus far.

The FCC additionally mentioned that it’s granting “particular momentary authorities to licensees and issuing rule waivers to assist communications suppliers preserve and restore service, assist emergency operations, and help public security, together with search and rescue efforts.” Individually, the FCC final week waived sure Lifeline program eligibility guidelines to assist folks in catastrophe areas apply for discounted telephone and broadband service.

SpaceX started launching satellites with direct-to-cell capabilities in January 2024 and confirmed a demo of textual content messages despatched between T-Cell phones through one in all Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites. T-Cell has mentioned the Starlink service for telephones will assist cowl gaps in areas the place it has no protection “as a consequence of terrain limitations, land-use restrictions,” and different components.