Antenna Switch Red Flags 'Contrived,' SpaceX Tells FCC

Any changes SpaceX made to its satellite antennas are "negligible," and other satellite operators raising red flags about the move from phased array antennas to parabolics (see 2103300024) are "just obvious delay tactics ... designed to waste Commission resources and slow delivery of high-quality broadband." That's what company representatives told FCC International Bureau staff, per an ex parte filing Friday. SpaceX said its application for its pending license modification, filed nearly a year ago, includes upgraded antenna patterns, and all analyses have shown that upgrade doesn't cause significant interference to other operators. It denied it has been secretive about its use of parabolic antennas and called the complaints "contrived." SpaceX also noted its use of visors on recent satellites to block sunlight from reflecting off antennas and affecting astronomical observations. It said it's likely to use fewer than 10,000 satellites over the course of its license.