CivilsKash
Satellite Spectrum Race Intensifies
The rapid rise of satellite megaconstellations has triggered a global contest over access to radio frequencies and orbital slots, both governed as limited natural resources by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). High-demand bands such as Ku-band (12–18 GHz) and Ka-band (26–40 GHz) power satellite internet, while L-band supports navigation systems, making spectrum coordination as critical as orbital placement.
The ITU follows a first-come, first-served filing system, favouring early, capital-rich operators like Starlink, OneWeb, and Project Kuiper, raising equity concerns for late entrants and emerging space nations.
Reforms at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 introduced deployment milestones and transparency rules to curb speculative filings and manage thousands of satellites annually. While low-Earth orbit systems promise low-latency connectivity to bridge the digital divide, high costs and weak universal-service mandates risk turning satellite broadband into premium infrastructure. With over 50,000 satellites projected by 2030, sustainable spectrum governance and debris mitigation are now central to preserving space as a shared global commons.
The ITU follows a first-come, first-served filing system, favouring early, capital-rich operators like Starlink, OneWeb, and Project Kuiper, raising equity concerns for late entrants and emerging space nations.
Reforms at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 introduced deployment milestones and transparency rules to curb speculative filings and manage thousands of satellites annually. While low-Earth orbit systems promise low-latency connectivity to bridge the digital divide, high costs and weak universal-service mandates risk turning satellite broadband into premium infrastructure. With over 50,000 satellites projected by 2030, sustainable spectrum governance and debris mitigation are now central to preserving space as a shared global commons.