By Ahmad Hathout
SpaceX is getting broad support for its Starlink broadband satellite service to use the E-band spectrum to expand connectivity, including to Canada’s rural and remote communities.
The American aerospace company filed a request with Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) in December requesting that it be able to utilize the E-band (71-76 GHz downlink and 81-86 GHz uplink) for fixed satellite service (FSS) communications between its satellites and gateway earth station located at Saint-Laurent, Quebec and Janet, Alberta, which are currently serving users via the Ka-band. The E-band is used by terrestrial wireless network providers for backhaul.
The application received broad support – with some caveats.
Rogers said in its submission that it supports the proposal on an interim basis, so long as there’s no interference with current use, which for Rogers and other wireless network operators is to scale 5G transport and other point-to-point backhaul systems.
“[Future fixed service, FS] and FSS have typically coexisted effectively, owing to the technical characteristics of their deployments, so any additional use (by FSS) can be introduced in such a way to preserve terrestrial backhaul growth and investment certainty for the benefit of Canadian mobile users,” Rogers said. “Permitting SpaceX with FSS E-band authorization ahead of [World Radio Conference 2027] and domestic consultations will also benefit Canadian users and the broader economy by supporting additional investment in Canadian telecommunication facilities.”
“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with ISED, SpaceX, and the broader Radio Advisory Board of Canada (RABC) membership to develop an evidence-based E-band coexistence regime that maintains Canada’s leadership in both terrestrial and satellite connectivity,” Rogers added.
If new space-based uses are authorized, the Canadian Association of Wireless Internet Service Providers (CanWISP) said it wants ISED to “ensure transparent registration or coordination mechanisms, clear technical expectations for coexistence, and practical interference resolution processes accessible to operators of all sizes.
“Predictability is especially important for smaller providers planning long-term infrastructure investments,” CanWISP added, noting it supports policies that expand connectivity options for Canadians. “Thoughtful integration of new E-band uses can ensure the band continues to play a vital role in enabling rural and regional broadband deployment.”
The Native Women’s Association of the Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan’s Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation (MSN) also supported SpaceX’s application to facilitate connectivity in their communities.
“This will unlock higher throughput, lower latency, greater capacity, and superior network reliability for Starlink users across the nation,” the MSN said, which was echoed by the Native Women’s Association.
Engineering and construction firm TEP Canada, data center firm Equinix, and neutral tower developer Shared Tower also supported the application.
“Over the past two years, we have collaborated closely with SpaceX in deploying several ground stations for the provision of reliable, high-speed internet in rural and remote communities where traditional infrastructure is limited,” Shared Tower said. “We have witnessed a significant improvement in internet connectivity in these regions, enhancing safety, social, and economic initiatives.”
Equinix added: “Enabling networks like Starlink to leverage E-band spectrum could facilitate the development of technologies that allow Equinix to provide high-performance data center interconnection services without relying solely on fiber optic networks. This innovation has the potential to increase the resilience of networks spanning entire countries, such as Canada, thereby enhancing network sovereignty and ensuring robust connectivity for all users.”
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission granted Starlink use of the E-band for its second-generation satellites in 2024. More recently, the company requested similar permission to access the spectrum for more of its satellite fleet.
Starlink, which touts 650 satellites in low Earth orbit, also announced this past weekend that the satellites powering its newly branded “Starlink Mobile” service will deliver 5G speeds from space with more data density.
Rogers has partnered with SpaceX for a beta launch of its satellite-to-mobile service, called Rogers Satellite, while Telus announced this week that it – like Bell – is partnering with AST SpaceMobile for a launch later this year.
Photo via SpaceX
