Space Bureau Reaffirms Existing MSS Licensees' Exclusive Rights to Certain D2D Spectrum Bands by Dismissing Requests and Petitions for Rulemaking
Summary
The FCC Space Bureau reaffirmed existing Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) licensees' exclusive rights to use certain Device-to-Device (D2D) and Device-to-Consumer (D2C) spectrum bands. The Bureau dismissed requests from several operators seeking to enter those same spectrum bands and dismissed two petitions for rulemaking related to this spectrum. This action preserves the exclusive spectrum positions of current MSS licensees and blocks potential new entrants seeking access to these bands. The decision is related to FCC's broader effort to clear the way for U.S. leadership in Direct-to-Device connectivity.
“Space Bureau reaffirms existing MSS licensees' exclusive rights to use certain D2D and D2C spectrum bands by dismissing the requests of several operators to enter those same bands and two petitions for rulemaking.”
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The FCC Headlines page is the commission's aggregated news feed, pulling together actions from each Bureau: Media, Wireless, Wireline, Public Safety and Homeland Security, International, Space, and Enforcement. Around 90 headlines a month. Coverage includes spectrum auction results, broadcast license renewals, equipment authorization decisions, rule enforcement actions, and the commissioner statements on major policy shifts. The feed also carries emergency alerts for communications status during disasters. Watch this if you advise telecoms, manufacture radio-frequency equipment, operate broadcast stations, manage spectrum holdings, or track net neutrality and broadband policy as it shifts across administrations.
What changed
The FCC Space Bureau issued an Order reaffirming that existing MSS licensees retain exclusive rights to use certain D2D and D2C spectrum bands. The Bureau dismissed petitions from operators seeking to enter those spectrum bands and dismissed two separate petitions for rulemaking that would have potentially altered spectrum allocation in this area.
MSS licensees holding rights to these spectrum bands benefit from continued exclusivity and protection from new entrants. Operators seeking access to D2D or D2C spectrum in the affected bands face a closed pathway under current rules. Companies with interests in Direct-to-Device satellite connectivity should monitor for future FCC proceedings, as the dismissal of rulemaking petitions maintains the status quo but does not preclude future regulatory changes.
Archived snapshot
Apr 24, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
- Full Title: The Space Bureau Reaffirms Existing Licensees' Exclusive Rights to Use Certain D2D Spectrum Bands by Dismissing the Requests of Several Operators to Enter Those Same Bands and Dismissing Two Petitions for Rulemaking
- Document Type: Order
- Bureau(s): Space
- Description Space Bureau reaffirms existing MSS licensees' exclusive rights to use certain D2D and D2C spectrum bands by dismissing the requests of several operators to enter those same bands and two petitions for rulemaking.
- DA/FCC #: DA-26-398
- Docket No: 25-173 25-340 23-135 Related Document(s): News Release - FCC Clears Way for U.S. Leadership in Direct-to-Device Connectivity
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Document Dates
- Released On:
Apr 23, 2026
- Adopted Date:
Apr 23, 2026
- Issued On:
Apr 23, 2026
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