The T-Mobile license is the first collaboration between a satellite operator and wireless carrier to be approved by the FCC to provide supplemental cell coverage from space. “The Commission recognized that satellite-to-device connectivity can support critical public interest benefits,

The companies announced a partnership in 2022 and the first set of satellites for the venture were launched into low-Earth orbit in January.

The FCC also granted Starlink's request to provide service to cell phones (aka "direct-to-cell") outside the United States. For non-US operations, Starlink must obtain authorization from the relevant governments. The non-US operations are authorized in various sub-bands between 1429 MHz and 2690 MHz.