The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has approved SpaceX’s application to operate two new Starlink dishes, which include a smaller, more portable model about the size of an Apple MacBook, and a new high-performance dish.
FCC, the independent agency of the United States government that regulates communications, had on Tuesday cleared SpaceX’s application for the new hardware, which will allow the company to operate the equipment across the country.
According to the company’s original application for the hardware, the first device which is smaller than SpaceX’s first-generation Starlink dish will measure 0.29 meters (11.4 inches) by 0.25 meters (9.8 inches), making it about the size of an Apple MacBook. The current $599 Starlink dish for consumers measures 20.2 by 11.9 inches for a more rectangular package.
SpaceX also suggests the new dish will be portable with the company’s application noting that the hardware will “allow consumers to enjoy the benefits of high-speed, low-latency broadband wherever they live or work, including in rural and remote areas where mobile or portable applications are necessary.”
The second dish promises to offer “a high performance solution for consumers that improves upon SpaceX Services’ previously authorized fixed user terminal models.”
It’s supposed to measure at 0.57 meters (22.4 inches) by 0.36 meters (14.7 inches), making it smaller than the current high-performance dish from SpaceX.
In line with concerns made over connectivity, Space X has assured that both hardware models can communicate with first- and second-generation Starlink satellites.
While the original application by SpaceX to the FCC doesn’t reveal much such as price or potential speed improvements, the document notes: “This new generation of user terminals will provide even more benefits to American consumers that only strengthen the public interest in granting SpaceX Services’ request.”
The FCC approval only covers SpaceX’s application for the “fixed” or stationary use of the Starlink hardware.
SpaceX has not indicated when the new hardware would be available for sale but back in July it began offering select Starlink subscribers the option to buy a new Starlink “Gen 3” Wi-Fi router, a mere week after the company received FCC approval to sell it.
FCC maintains jurisdiction over areas of broadband access, fair competition, radio frequency use, media responsibility, public safety, and homeland security in the United States.
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