SpaceX Planning First Tests Of New Direct-to-device Spectrum Next Year

PARIS — SpaceX expects to begin testing direct-to-device services using newly acquired spectrum from EchoStar as soon as the end of next year. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said at the World Space Business Week conference Sept. 16 that the company is now working with a wide range of technology and telecom partners to use S-band spectrum SpaceX purchased for $17 billion in cash and stock last week . "We hope to be launching our next-generation direct-to-device satellites in two years, and hopefully maybe have some tests on phones late next year," she said.

The EchoStar spectrum requires SpaceX to deploy a new generation of satellites with payloads compatible with that spectrum. The company also needs partnerships with other firms so that devices can use it. She argued that effort will be more efficient than the "clunky" approach of negotiating with individual operators for spectrum rights.

"When we cross a border into another country, we now need to leverage a different licensed spectrum, so it's very clunky," she said. By contrast, the EchoStar spectrum is cleared globally. Find some other details related to this article: Check here