(Washington) Boeing obtained Wednesday the authorization of the American authorities for its project of constellation of 147 satellites, intended to provide internet from space.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “has approved a request from The Boeing Company for a license to build, deploy and operate a constellation of satellites,” she said in a statement.
“Boeing plans to provide broadband internet and communications service for residential, commercial, institutional, government and business users,” she added.
This service must first be available to customers in the United States and then globally after full deployment, as requested by Boeing.
“Advanced satellite broadband services have an important role to play in connecting hard-to-reach areas,” said Jessica Rosenworcel, President of the FCC.
The number of satellites authorized for Boeing by the FCC is 147, the vast majority of which must operate in low orbit: 132 can be placed at an altitude of about 1,000 km, and 15 much higher, between about 27,000 and 44,000 km.
Boeing welcomed in a statement the decision of the American authorities. “As the demand for satellite communications grows, diversity will be required, across different orbits and frequencies,” the company said in a written statement.
Other satellite constellation projects are planned by competing companies.
American billionaire Elon Musk, head of space company SpaceX, has already put more than 1,500 satellites into orbit to create his Starlink network.
Amazon founder American Jeff Bezos has a similar project called Kuiper.