On October 8, 2026, the FCC released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at modernizing the FCC’s Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) rules and facilitating direct-to-device (D2D) services. The draft has been circulated for consideration at the FCC’s October 29, 2026 Open Meeting and remains subject to change.
The SCS rules, first adopted in 2024, permit use of terrestrial spectrum for D2D satellite operations, generally under arrangements between terrestrial spectrum licensees (like mobile network operators) and satellite companies. To date, all approved SCS deployments have relied on waivers of the FCC’s rules, given the narrow focus of the FCC’s original SCS rules. The draft NPRM would give terrestrial and satellite licensees more flexibility in implementing SCS, with the idea being to “move away from a rigid SCS framework that routinely requires waivers.”
The rules proposed in the draft NPRM would more than double the amount of spectrum available for SCS use by rule, making more than 482 megahertz of spectrum available for SCS and increasing the number of eligible bands from five to thirteen. Many of the bands to be included were previously identified as possible candidates for SCS, and this proposal would codify their eligibility. The new rules also would relax existing leasing requirements, including by creating pathways for use of spectrum for SCS even where a licensee of terrestrial spectrum does not hold all relevant licenses throughout a geographically independent area (GIA) like the continental United States. Additionally, the proposed rules would eliminate the need for waivers where a satellite licensee holds SCS-eligible terrestrial spectrum itself, rather than leasing it from a third-party operator.
The FCC also seeks comment on a number of other matters, including D2D performance requirements for SCS and MSS operators and new technical rules to address interference risks. If the NPRM is adopted, comments would be due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
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