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FCC Approves SpaceX Plan to Deploy 7,500 Additional Starlink Satellites

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The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has approved SpaceX’s request to deploy an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, significantly expanding the company’s satellite broadband network as it seeks to boost global internet coverage.

With the approval, SpaceX is now authorised to operate a total of 15,000 Gen2 Starlink satellites worldwide. The FCC also granted permission for the company to upgrade these satellites, operate across five frequency bands, and waived previous restrictions that limited overlapping coverage and network capacity.

According to the FCC, the newly authorised satellites will support direct-to-cell connectivity outside the United States and provide supplemental coverage within the U.S., enabling next-generation mobile services and internet speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second.

“This FCC authorisation is a game-changer for enabling next-generation services,” said FCC Chair Brendan Carr. “By authorising 15,000 new and advanced satellites, the FCC has given SpaceX the green light to deliver unprecedented satellite broadband capabilities, strengthen competition, and help ensure that no community is left behind.”

SpaceX had sought approval to deploy nearly 30,000 satellites in total, but the FCC said it is, for now, approving only half of that request. The remaining 14,988 proposed Gen2 satellites — including those intended to operate above 600 kilometres in orbit — will be reviewed at a later stage.

Under the decision, SpaceX must launch and operate at least 50% of the authorised Gen2 satellites by December 1, 2028, with full deployment required by December 2031. The company is also required to complete deployment of its 7,500 first-generation satellites by late November 2027.

The approval comes as Starlink continues to reconfigure its constellation. The company said last week it would begin lowering satellites orbiting at around 550 kilometres to 480 kilometres during 2026 to improve space safety. SpaceX disclosed in December that one satellite suffered an in-orbit anomaly that generated a small amount of debris — a rare kinetic incident for the satellite internet operator.

SpaceX, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has become the world’s largest satellite operator through Starlink, which currently consists of about 9,400 active satellites delivering broadband internet to consumers, governments and businesses. Former FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel had previously called for more competition in the satellite broadband sector, noting that Starlink controlled nearly two-thirds of all active satellites.

Telstra Fined $12 Million for Secretly Slowing Internet Speeds of Nearly 9,000 Customers

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Australia’s largest telecommunications company, Telstra, has been ordered to pay A$18 million (about $11.9 million) after a court found it misled thousands of customers by reducing their internet speeds without informing them, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced on Friday.

According to the ACCC, Telstra migrated 8,897 customers from its low-cost brand Belong to a plan with half the original upload speed between October and November 2020, without any notification or consent. This left users unknowingly paying for a downgraded service.

“Telstra’s failure to inform customers that their broadband service had been changed denied them the opportunity to decide whether the changed service was suitable for their needs,” said ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey. The regulator emphasized that customers deserve transparency and control over the quality of the services they pay for.

Beyond the fine, Telstra has committed to compensating affected customers, offering A$15 credits or refunds for every month they were on the reduced-speed plan. A Telstra spokesperson told Reuters that the company accepted the court’s decision and was finalizing remediation efforts.

The ruling adds to growing regulatory scrutiny of Australia’s telecom sector, particularly after Optus—one of Telstra’s main competitors—suffered two emergency call outages last month, one of which was linked to four deaths.

On the market, Telstra shares fell 0.7% following the announcement, while the broader Australian benchmark index (.AXJO) rose 0.5%.

The case underscores how digital infrastructure providers are increasingly being held accountable for consumer transparency and service integrity, as Australia tightens oversight over its critical communications networks.

Comcast to cut jobs, streamline Xfinity unit in major reorganization

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Comcast is preparing to cut jobs at its largest business unit, which includes the Xfinity internet, mobile, and pay-TV services, as part of a restructuring to centralize operations and strengthen its broadband business, a source told Reuters.

Beginning in January, Comcast will eliminate a layer of management between its regional offices and corporate headquarters, meaning regional leaders will now report directly to a newly appointed executive overseeing national operations. While the company has not disclosed the number of roles affected, the restructuring is expected to reduce headcount.

In a memo to employees, Comcast said customer-facing teams, such as those in retail and customer service, will not be impacted. “This change is not a reflection of anyone’s contributions — it is about simplifying how we work so we can compete more effectively,” the memo stated.

The move continues Comcast’s long-term strategy of centralizing functions including marketing, legal, and finance. It has also standardized broadband pricing nationally and introduced new five-year price-lock plans to stem customer churn.

The cuts come as Comcast grapples with subscriber losses in its broadband business, facing mounting competition from wireless carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The unit also oversees Sky, Comcast’s European brand, and remains central to the company’s connectivity strategy.