Image: Starlink
SpaceX is looking to boost Starlink’s capacity by adding more spectrum to its first-generation satellite fleet — reports PCMag. On Friday, the company filed a request with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use “E-band” frequencies, in the 71.0-76.0 GHz and 81.0-86.0 GHz ranges, for its Gen1 constellation.
If approved, SpaceX says the change will help first-generation Starlink satellites “deliver more capacity more quickly to more Americans, especially those in rural and other underserved areas.”
“Specifically, complementing already authorized Ku- and Ka-band frequencies with E-band will enable SpaceX’s Gen1 system to optimize its network architecture to provide higher speeds, lower latency, and even more reliable broadband coverage for consumers,” the company added.
The FCC already cleared SpaceX to use E-band spectrum last year for 7,500 second-generation satellites, which the company says has yielded “demonstrable benefits and zero interference complaints.”
In its filing, SpaceX highlighted how E-band is particularly useful for backhaul, noting, “This combination of high capacity and efficient sharing makes this band particularly advantageous for backhaul use cases, such as high-capacity parabolic earth stations and resilient satellite backhaul for terrestrial networks.”
While SpaceX isn’t asking to expand the 4,408-satellite cap on its first-generation constellation, it does want permission to reconfigure deployment more flexibly across orbital planes. “Since consumer demand for broadband is increasing and ever evolving, this flexibility to reconfigure satellites better allows the modified Gen1 system to efficiently deploy coverage and capacity where consumers need it most and adapt as needs change, rather than adhering to a fixed configuration over the life of the license that may not match real-world usage patterns,” the company explained.
Starlink has faced congestion issues in areas like the Pacific Northwest, where it recently introduced a $1,000 surcharge for new Residential subscriptions. In contrast, in markets with excess capacity, the company has slashed fees on its Residential and Residential Lite plans to spur growth.
Looking ahead, SpaceX plans to further scale Starlink’s capabilities by launching third-generation satellites starting in 2026, which promise even more capacity and improved performance.
