France cancels Musk’s SpaceX Starlink operating radio frequency license

According to the latest report, France’s top administrative court on Tuesday reversed the decision to grant two frequency bands to Elon Musk’s satellite Internet company Starlink, saying the country’s telecom regulator had previously made a legal error.

French telecommunications regulator Arcep granted Starlink the right to operate on two radio frequencies in France in February 2021, giving people access to the internet.

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The Administrative Court said on Tuesday that it had revoked the licenses after two rights groups appealed Arcep’s decision. The decision to license Starlink “may affect the high-band Internet access market and affect the interests of end-users,” the Administrative Court said.

So the law should have required public hearings before licenses are issued, but the regulator has not taken that step. Although expensive to deploy, satellite technology can bring internet service to people living in rural areas or in areas beyond the reach of fiber-optic cables and cell towers.

Moreover, the technology can also be a key backstop when a hurricane or other natural disaster disrupts communications.

(via)