The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has now approved applications by 4 companies to provide broadband services using satellite technology in the United States.  The latest is SpaceX, joining OneWeb, Space Norway, and Telesat as those authorized to access the U.S. marketplace for broadband by satellite.

SpaceX is the first U.S. company to ask for and be granted approval from the FCC to provide the service.  SpaceX proposed a satellite system comprised of 4,425 satellites and was granted authority to use frequencies in the Ka (20/30 GHz) and Ku (11/14 GHz) bands to provide global Internet connectivity.

“Broadband services using satellite technology…holds promise to expand Internet access, particularly in remote and rural areas across the country,” read a FCC news release.

The FCC has other pending requests for similar service providers.