FCC denies SpaceX $900 million in Starlink funding

SpaceX has a beef with satellite funding.

In a rare media release, SpaceX said it will appeal a funding decision related to its Starlink broadband satellite constellation, which aims to send internet service to rural areas across the world.

The space launch services giant was recently rejected for nearly $900 million dollars in rural connectivity funding from the Wireline Competition Bureau (a branch of the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC). SpaceX characterized that decision as "grossly unfair" in its Sept. 9 appeal to the regulator, which is under review.

Related: SpaceX Starlink satellites to beam service straight to smartphones

Simultaneously, SpaceX competitor Lynk received FCC approval Sept. 16 for its satellite-to-phone connection network, now only lacking a mobile phone service partner to bring the service. The news comes as SpaceX, seeking that same market, already announced a forthcoming partnership with T-Mobile in August even though it wasn't approved by the FCC for that service yet.

SpaceX, funded by billionaire Elon Musk, seeks to serve rural areas through a network of satellites, while Lynk plans periodic access to space through an orbital cell tower. Lynk already demonstrated satellite-to-phone service in a test last year, according to Via Satellite. Although the service would be only itinerant, Lynk says it would be useful for rural emergency situations. 

While Lynk has approval to operate the service in theory, the next steps for making it operational will include a frequency check with its eventual mobile phone service partner to ensure that its operations do not interfere with other satellites in orbit, according to TechCrunch.

Another player in cell phone coverage from space is Apple, which announced last week that its iPhone 14 would have an SOS satellite service for emergencies through GlobalStar starting in November.

Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook.