SpaceX's battle against Dish Network, an American television provider, is becoming more serious. The independent space agency is now asking FCC (Federal Communications Commission) further to investigate the use of the so-called 12 GHz band.  

SpaceX Vs. Dish Network: FCC Wants To Investigate 12 GHz Band Usage as It Can Cause Massive Starlink Internet Outage
(Photo : Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket sits on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center as it is prepared for tomorrow's lift-off on February 5, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket, which is the most powerful rocket in the world, is scheduled to make its maiden flight between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. tomorrow.

For those unfamiliar with this network tech, it is a range of frequencies used for broadband communications. It has the capability to support both space-based and ground-based services. 

Now, SpaceX warned that using the 12 GHz band for terrestrial 5G could interfere with its Starlink internet networks, especially in the United States, as reported by SpaceNews

SpaceX Asks FCC To Investigate Dish Network's 12 GHz Band 

According to CNBC's latest report, Dish and RS Access, funded by the billionaire Michael Dell, published their studies in January 2021. 

SpaceX Vs. Dish Network: FCC Wants To Investigate 12 GHz Band Usage as It Can Cause Massive Starlink Internet Outage
(Photo : Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
Elon Musk, CEO of Space Exploration Technologies Corp, speaks during a news conference at the National Press Club April 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. Elon Musk, CEO of Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) and Tesla Motors, held the news conference to announce SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket which could complete missions to the International Space Station and Moon and should be ready for use by the end of 2012.

Also Read: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches its 13th Flight! One of Three Flights in 36 Hours?

These researches were conducted after FCC asked them how to best use the 12 GHz band. Of course, the findings of Dish Network and RS Access revealed that the use of the 12 GHz band for 5G networks would not affect low Earth orbit satellite networks, such as SpaceX's Starlink, as well as OneWeb. 

But, a new analysis was filed by SpaceX on Tuesday, June 21. The independent space agency sent its latest findings to the Federal Communications Commission. 

Now, SpaceX is asking FCC to conduct a more serious investigation since they believe that using the 12 GHz band will drastically affect the performance of Starlink broadband service.  

Why SpaceX is Against 12 GHz Band

In the letter sent by SpaceX to the Federal Communications Commission, the space company explained that it conducted tests in Las Vegas. 

After they were completed, SpaceX's findings showed that using the 12 GHz band in 5G networks would actually harm Starlink satellites' performances. 

Specifically, the use of this frequency range can lead to Starlink interferences 77% of the time. This means that users will likely experience a loss of connection more frequently. 

If you want to see further details about the issue of SpaceX and Dish Network, you can view this link

Previously, SpaceX employees criticized Elon Musk after his harmful Twitter behavior. 

On the other hand, the SpaceX Cargo Dragon launch experienced another delay due to a rare spacecraft leak. 

For news updates on SpaceX's Starlink and other new internet services, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.  

Related Article: Why SpaceX's Second Falcon 9 Launch Concerns Experts Even More! Here Are Some of the Reasons

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Written by: Griffin Davis

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