Should Starlink Publicly Disclose Its Total Network Capacity? SpaceX Says No

SpaceX is resisting an FCC proposal that could publicly reveal Starlink’s total network capacity.

In July, the FCC voted to consider revising its approach to collecting broadband data from satellite internet providers. Although SpaceX already publishes the expected internet speeds for Starlink across the US, capacity data could reveal how many subscribers the satellite internet system can theoretically serve on a global and state-by-state basis.

For some areas of the US, Starlink’s capacity has already been stretched, which can lead to network congestion and speed slowdowns.

The FCC wants the capacity data to improve its official broadband maps, saying its current approach “may overstate the extent to which satellite broadband service is available” in certain areas. The commission’s proposal would require companies, including SpaceX, to submit the “overall system downlink capacity and the overall system uplink capacity” for their satellite systems on a biannual basis. 

(Credit: FCC)

In addition, the companies would need to submit the capacity data “for each state or territory” in which their satellite internet service is available. But in its letter resisting the proposal, SpaceX says that judging Starlink by looking at the system’s network capacity is a “flawed exercise.”

That’s because SpaceX is consistently adding new satellites to the Starlink network, often on a weekly basis. At the same time, Starlink already spans thousands of satellites, allowing it to dynamically “provision capacity” wherever demand is high, SpaceX says. 

“Consequently, any data that a next-generation satellite system operator provides in response to the proposed capacity questions would be unrepresentative of the real-world capabilities and availability of the system, and almost immediately out of date,” the company argues. 

The other issue is that SpaceX views the capacity data as important to keep confidential, citing the competition. “Such data reveals information regarding a provider’s technical capability, network design, and competitive position in the market that would provide a competitive advantage and is not otherwise publicly available,” the company tells the FCC. 

As a result, SpaceX says the commission would need to keep the information secret if it forces satellite players to disclose capacity data. The company is also advocating that the FCC require all telecommunication providers—not just satellite players—to supply the capacity data if the commission moves forward on the new approach.

In the meantime, other trade groups are urging the FCC to collect the capacity data from satellite providers, citing potential congestion woes.

“While satellite providers may be able to ‘offer’ adequate broadband services in certain areas, as their subscribership increases, they will quickly run into capacity issues that will shrink coverage, leaving previously ‘served’ areas unserved and underserved,” the Rural Wireless Association tells the FCC.

About Michael Kan

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I’ve been working as a journalist for over 15 years—I got my start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017.

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