The plan – when the V-band Constellation is complete – is to provide high speed data access to consumers on a global basis, starting with the U.S.
The constellation will consist of 132 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in a circular orbit at an altitude of 1056 kilometers (km) and 15 highly inclined NGSO satellites.
Specifically, the FCC order approves Boeing’s application for non-geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service system using frequencies in portions of the V-band (the 37.5-40, 40-42, 47.2-50.2 and 50.4-51.4 GHz bands).
It also approves the company to operate inter-satellite links (ISLs) using frequencies in portions of the V-band (65-71 GHz band).
However, it did dismiss Boeing’s request to operate ISLs in other portions of the V-band and in the Ka-band – bands that are not allocated internationally for operation of fixed-satellite services.
“Advanced satellite broadband services have an important role to play in connecting hard-toserve communities,” it quotes FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “We are committed to a careful and detailed review of all such applications.”
Boeing first filed an application for the V-band Constellation in March 2017.
Other companies competing to provide satellite-based 5G and broadband networks include Inmarsat, OneWeb, Elon Musk’s Starlink, and Jeff Bezos’ Project Kuiper.
