On 18 February 2021, Arcep published the authorisation to use radio frequencies to operate a public network that it had awarded the firm Starlink Internet Services Limited, enabling the company to provide fixed internet access via satellite[1] in France, based on its constellation of satellites already in orbit. The Conseil d’Etat annulled that Decision on 5 April 2022.
Following a new request from Starlink for these frequencies, Arcep launched a public consultation on the matter to gather feedback from stakeholders, in accordance with the Conseil d’Etat ruling
Arcep is publishing the contributions to this public consultation and awarding Starlink a new authorisation to use frequencies
One particular point to emerge from the contributions to this public consultation was the positive contribution the Starlink service could make to developing connectivity in mobile “white areas” and those areas with poor fibre network coverage.
In light of the contributions it received, Arcep issued Decision No. 2022-1102, which it is publishing today, awarding Starlink Internet Services Limited an authorisation to use radio frequencies to operate a public network, enabling it to provide fixed internet access via satellite.
In addition, Starlink requested frequency authorisations for the Gateway earth station that contributes to the network’s operation. These frequencies enable the satellite to connect to the terrestrial network. The authorisation decisions pertaining to this request are also being published today.
Associated documents:
- Decision No. 2022-1102 authorising the use of frequencies tied to user devices
- All of the contributions to the public consultation that ran from 8 April to 9 May 2022 (zip – 9 Mb)
- Decisions No. 2022-1169, 2022-1170 and 2022-1171 authorising the use of frequencies tied to an earth station (Gateway)
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