SpaceX is positioning its Starlink constellation as a viable GPS alternative. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX stated that it could leverage Starlink satellites for next-generation Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions.

GPS has been run through a single provider in the United States, the Defense Department. The FCC intends to use Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions to complement GPS technologies. In its letter, SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s potential to deliver PNT services alongside its broadband offerings in its letter to the FCC.

“As the Commission identifies specific actions to contribute to the whole-of-government PNT system resilience effort, one opportunity stands out as a particularly ripe, low-hanging fruit: facilitating the rapid deployment of next-generation low-Earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite constellations that can deliver PNT as a service alongside high-speed, low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile connectivity,” SpaceX wrote.

SpaceX also emphasized its ongoing work to integrate PNT into its cellular Starlink service, which is expected to be launched with T-Mobile in July. The private space provider also stated that Starlink satellites already operate independently of GPS. This lays the groundwork for resilient PNT delivery across authorized frequencies, SpaceX noted in its letter.

“SpaceX has also been actively working to integrate PNT solutions into its direct-to-device commercial service offerings. In so doing, SpaceX can advance the Commission’s goal in this proceeding to maintain American leadership in next-generation PNT services both here at home and in over 130 countries it serves around the world.

“SpaceX looks forward to playing an integral role in creating a more robust, resilient, and secure PNT ecosystem for Americans and people around the world,” SpaceX noted.

SpaceX also advocated for a “technology-neutral approach” to GPS alternatives in its letter, while critiquing EchoStar’s unused 2GHz spectrum for mobile satellite services. Meanwhile, Globalstar, Apple’s satellite provider, also pitched its services as a GPS complement, stating that its services “can function as either an alternative or a complement to GPS.”

“Notably, Globalstar’s satellites transmit outside of the L-band, which provides PNT users with added immunity from GPS jamming and spoofing. In addition, Globalstar’s satellite transmissions at 2.4GHz are stronger than GPS signals, bolstering resilience, performance, and reliability,” GlobalStar noted.

SpaceX’s letter to the FCC can be viewed below.

Starlink GPS FCC by maria on Scribd

EU antitrust regulators are scrutinizing SES’s $3.1 billion bid to acquire Intelsat, probing whether SpaceX’s Starlink poses a credible rival in the satellite communications market. The European Commission’s review could shape the future of Europe’s space industry.

The Commission has sought feedback from customers of SES and Intelsat to assess Starlink’s competitive impact. According to Reuters, the questionnaire asks if low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite providers like Starlink and Eutelsat’s OneWeb are viable competitors for two-way satellite capacity. It also explores whether LEO suppliers are winning tenders and contracts and their potential to influence competition over the next five years. Additionally, regulators are evaluating customers’ bargaining power and ability to switch to rival suppliers.

SES operates a fleet of about 70 multi-orbit satellites for video broadcasting, government communications, and broadband internet. It aims to scale up through the acquisition of Intelsat. The move is part of a broader push in Europe to bolster home-grown satellite solutions, countering U.S. giants like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

SES is in talks with the EU Commission and a few European governments to complement Starlink services, addressing concerns over reliance on foreign providers.

“Now the discussions are much more strategic in nature. They’re much more mid-term, long-term. And what we’re seeing is that all of the European governments are serious about increasing their defense spending. There are alternatives, not to completely replace Starlink, that’s not possible, but to augment and complement Starlink,” said SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh.

The EU Commission’s preliminary review of the SES-Intelsat deal is expected to conclude by June 10. The preliminary review will determine whether the SES-Intelsat deal is cleared outright, requires concessions, or faces a full-scale investigation if significant concerns arise. As Europe seeks to strengthen its space-based communication resilience, the outcome could redefine competitive dynamics in the satellite sector.

With Starlink’s LEO technology disrupting traditional satellite services, the Commission’s findings will signal how Europe balances innovation with strategic autonomy. SES’s efforts to scale and collaborate with governments underscore the region’s ambition to remain competitive, potentially reshaping the global satellite landscape as demand for reliable connectivity grows.

SpaceX’s Starlink launch in India is advancing as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommends a five-year satellite spectrum allocation for commercial communication services. The move marks a pivotal step for Elon Musk’s plan to bring high-speed internet to the region.

TRAI’s proposal includes an option to extend the initial five-year spectrum allocation by two years, contingent on market dynamics. The telecom regulator also outlined a pricing structure, charging operators 4% of their adjusted gross revenue for geostationary orbit-based fixed and mobile satellite services. TRAI also set a minimum annual spectrum charge of 3,500 rupees ($41) per megahertz.

TRAI proposed an additional charge of 500 rupees (About $6.00) per subscriber annually in urban areas for non-geostationary orbit-based fixed satellite services. It exempted rural and remote regions from the same charge to boost accessibility. The recommendations align with Starlink’s push to launch services in India, following the Indian government’s conditional approval last week.

Elon Musk has advocated for longer spectrum allocation terms, urging New Delhi to allot spectrum for 20 years to focus on “affordable pricing and longer-term business plans,” as Starlink’s public submissions stated. However, TRAI opted for a shorter initial timeframe to monitor the sector’s growth, a decision influenced by earlier discussions reported Reuters.

Starlink’s market entry is bolstered by strategic partnerships. In March, Musk and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani signed a deal allowing Starlink devices to be sold in Ambani’s Reliance stores, leveraging a vast distribution network. The partnership followed a rivalry between the two billionaires.

Ambani’s telco subsidiary had lobbied for spectrum auctions to level the playing field in India’s broadband service market, a proposal Musk criticized for diverging from global practices. Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel, India’s No. 2 telco, secured a distribution deal with Starlink and supported a three-to-five-year license period. Bharti Airtel announced a partnership with Starlink before it received conditional approval from the Indian government.

As Starlink navigates India’s regulatory landscape, TRAI’s recommendations signal a balanced approach to fostering satellite broadband growth. With partnerships and regulatory hurdles clearing, Musk’s vision for affordable, high-speed internet could transform connectivity in India’s urban and rural areas, positioning Starlink as a key player in the country’s telecom evolution.