SpaceX’s Starlink looks set to use the spectrum acquired from EchoStar as the basis for a new direct-to-device satellite fleet.

As reported by PCMag and Fierce Network, SpaceX recently asked the FCC for the authority to launch a new constellation of up to 15,000 satellites to provide direct-to-cell (D2C) services.

The company filed a request for the satellites this month, saying it would use the 2GHz spectrum it’s acquiring from EchoStar. The company said the new fleet would enable SpaceX to provide “dramatically improved” mobile services with increased capacity and reduced latency.

The new system would consist of a constellation of low and very low Earth orbit satellites that will leverage SpaceX’s existing ground equipment, as well as add new infrastructure.

The filing also notes that the company “may deploy ground-based systems in the US, creating a hybrid satellite/terrestrial network to expand the coverage and capacity of these services,” suggesting a move into more terrestrial telecoms infrastructure.

SpaceX struck a $17 billion deal to acquire EchoStar's AWS-4 (Advanced Wireless Spectrum) and H-block spectrum licenses earlier this month. The FCC is yet to approve the transfer, but FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called the deal a “potential game changer” for American consumers.

The applications notes the FCC has previously denied SpaceX’s request to use the 2GHz band on account of Echostar’s license, with Elon Musk’s company noting the regulator had said “same band, separate operating sharing would be impracticable.”

“Today, circumstances have fundamentally changed. SpaceX and EchoStar have now entered into an agreement to assign EchoStar's AWS-4 licenses, its AWS-H Block licenses, and its 2GHz MSS market-access authorization to SpaceX,” the company said in its application.

“Therefore, the logic that previously led the Space Bureau to dismiss SpaceX's application to provide 2GHz MSS service now compels the opposite result: the Bureau should swiftly accept and grant SpaceX's application, as it is now the only operator capable of deploying service in the band under the existing framework.”

SpaceX has previously accused EchoStar of hoarding the spectrum licenses, noting that the spectrum was being underutilized. The company had made no secret of its desire to buy the spectrum from EchoStar in recent months.

As part of the spectrum deal, the two companies are to enter into a long-term commercial agreement, that will enable EchoStar's Boost Mobile subscribers – through its cloud-native 5G core – to access SpaceX's Starlink Direct to Cell service.

Though there are more than 7,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, only some 650 of those offer direct-to-cell services.

Satellite industry analyst Carlos Placido has created a visualization of the new fleet.

SpaceX has previously filed to deploy up to 30,000 satellites covering the L-, S-, Ku-, Ka-, V-, and W-Bands.