SpaceX and Rivals Scramble for Control of Radio Spectrum
Source: NYT > Business (paywall)
Radio spectrum—the invisible infrastructure that powers satellites, 5G networks, and wireless communications—has become a finite resource worth billions, and commercial space companies are now competing directly with governments for FCC allocations that were once treated as secondary to state interests. SpaceX's aggressive push for satellite internet dominance means the company needs vastly more spectrum than traditional telecom operators, forcing regulators to choose between protecting legacy infrastructure and enabling new space-based services. The allocation decisions determine who builds the foundational layer of the connected world.