Lynk Wins FCC Approval for Satellite-Mobile Network

Lynk Global said Friday the FCC granted the company the “first-ever commercial license for a satellite-direct-to-standard-mobile-phone service.” The license allows the company to “launch commercial services for its global constellation of satellites later this year, paving the way for universal mobile connectivity,” Lynk said. “We agree with Lynk that it is in the public interest to begin making its services accessible with the goal of providing connectivity in remote areas during emergencies, contingent upon obtaining appropriate approval in the relevant jurisdiction and contingent upon completion of coordination with other operators,” said a Friday order by the International Bureau: “Lynk has provided information that demonstrates that, with the operations authorized by this license, it would be able to provide limited but useful connectivity in some areas.” The approval of Lynk to use frequencies in parts of the UHF bands is “limited to transmissions with earth stations outside the United States, and is based on a consideration of the specific facts and circumstances of this case,” the bureau said. The order doesn’t speak to “action on any applications to provide similar service in the United States,” the bureau said: “Nothing in this decision is intended to prejudge whether it is in the public interest to permit the provision of similar services within the United States, such as the pending AST&Science application.” GSMA supported the decision. “Technologies such as Lynk's satellite-direct-to-standard-mobile-phone service are an important part of the evolving mobile ecosystem and will be essential in enabling coverage in underserved geographies,” said Alex Sinclair, the group’s chief technology officer.