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US Moves to Ease Satellite Power Limits, Boosting Space Broadband

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The Federal Communications Commission is preparing to relax long-standing power limits on satellite spectrum usage, a move expected to significantly enhance space-based broadband services.

The proposed rule changes, scheduled for a vote on April 30, would allow more intensive use of wireless spectrum for satellite operations. According to the FCC, this could increase broadband capacity by up to seven times current levels, enabling faster speeds, lower latency and improved reliability.

The decision is seen as a major boost for companies such as SpaceX and its Starlink network, which already operates the world’s largest satellite constellation with over 10,000 satellites.

Current regulations, dating back to the 1990s, impose strict limits on transmission power. Regulators argue that these constraints are outdated and restrict the performance of next-generation satellite systems. The FCC estimates the updated framework could generate up to $2 billion in economic benefits.

The changes are particularly relevant for rural and remote areas, where satellite broadband often serves as the primary connectivity option. Higher power levels would allow stronger signals and more consistent service in underserved regions.

However, the proposal has drawn opposition from competitors such as Viasat and DirecTV, which have raised concerns about potential signal interference and orbital congestion.

SpaceX has argued that current rules unnecessarily constrain innovation and limit service quality for millions of users. The company has also been expanding its network, including approval earlier this year to deploy thousands of additional next-generation satellites.

If adopted, the regulatory shift would mark a structural change in satellite communications policy, potentially accelerating the global expansion of space-based internet services and intensifying competition in the broadband market.

Comcast loses more broadband customers as competition intensifies

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U.S. cable and media group Comcast reported a steeper-than-expected decline in broadband subscribers in the fourth quarter, highlighting mounting pressure on its core connectivity business. The company said it lost 181,000 broadband customers, exceeding market expectations, as rivals attracted users with aggressive pricing and alternative internet options.

Competition in the U.S. broadband market has intensified with the expansion of high-speed fiber networks and the growing availability of lower-cost fixed-wireless access services. These offerings have challenged long-established cable providers, forcing Comcast to adjust its strategy. The company said it will hold prices steady this year while revamping service bundles and offering free mobile lines to retain customers.

Despite these efforts, analysts do not expect meaningful broadband customer growth until 2027. Comcast said it aims to convert a significant portion of free mobile-line users into paying customers later this year.

Overall revenue for the quarter reached $32.31 billion, broadly in line with expectations. Results were supported by strong performance at the company’s theme parks division, which posted its best quarter on record, driven by Epic Universe in Orlando. The Peacock streaming service also added subscribers, though higher sports-related costs widened losses.

European Telcos to Get Unlimited Radio Spectrum Under EU Draft Law

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Europe’s telecom operators are set to gain long-term certainty under a new European Commission proposal that would allow radio spectrum licences to be used for an unlimited duration, marking a major shift in the bloc’s telecom policy. The draft law, known as the Digital Networks Act, is part of a broader overhaul of telecom rules that will require approval from EU member states and the European Parliament.

Under the proposal, spectrum licences would become renewable by default, replacing the current minimum 20-year term. The Commission said the move would increase predictability and encourage investment across the 27-country European Union, particularly as it pursues full fibre broadband coverage between 2030 and 2035. A senior official described unlimited spectrum licensing as a strong signal that the sector is worth sustained investment.

EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said resilient digital infrastructure is critical to Europe’s competitiveness, innovation, and digital sovereignty. The Commission will also outline common rules on licence duration, auction conditions, and pricing to guide national regulators.

However, the proposal stopped short of meeting telecom operators’ long-standing demand that Big Tech contribute directly to network rollout costs. Instead, the Act introduces a voluntary cooperation mechanism between telecom groups and major platforms such as Google, Netflix, and Meta Platforms. Governments may also be allowed to extend the 2030 deadline for replacing copper networks with fibre if more time is needed.