Events
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet system is currently conducting tests on its new direct-to-cellular (D2C) satellite phone system in Romania.
This system aims to demonstrate that Starlink satellites can operate at significantly higher capacities than currently allowed by international regulations, without interfering with geostationary satellites.
The tests are part of a broader effort by SpaceX to challenge existing regulations and expand its satellite communications capabilities.
However, these plans have faced strong opposition from terrestrial cellular operators and raised concerns about potential interference with existing satellite networks.
In addition to the Romanian tests, SpaceX is also conducting trials in the United States and Japan. The U.S. tests are being conducted in Nevada, Oregon, and Kansas, with permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The Japanese tests are being carried out in collaboration with a local partner.
Romania’s National Authority for Communications Administration and Regulation (ANCOM) has been involved in the Romanian tests, which aim to assess the potential impact of Starlink’s non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) systems on geostationary satellite (GSO) networks. The regulator is collecting data to contribute to ongoing studies by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on updating satellite communications regulations.
The tests in Romania and other locations are significant because they could potentially lead to changes in international regulations that would allow for more efficient use of satellite spectrum. However, they also raise important questions about the potential impact on existing satellite networks and the broader telecommunications ecosystem.