The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States officially approved SpaceX's request to deploy an additional 7,500 second-generation (Gen2) Starlink satellites. This significant authorization, announced on Friday, January 9, 2026, increases the total number of approved Gen2 Starlink satellites to 15,000 worldwide. The move is poised to substantially enhance Starlink's global internet service capabilities, providing higher speeds and broader coverage. FCC Chair Brendan Carr hailed the decision as a 'game-changer for enabling next-generation services,' emphasizing that authorizing 15,000 new and advanced satellites gives SpaceX the green light for unprecedented satellite broadband capabilities, fostering competition, and bridging the digital divide globally. The expanded constellation will specifically facilitate direct-to-cell connectivity outside the U.S. and offer supplementary coverage within the country, promising internet speeds of up to one gigabit per second. The FCC's approval also includes allowing SpaceX to upgrade its satellites and operate across five distinct frequencies, waiving previous requirements that limited overlapping coverage and capacity. While SpaceX had initially sought approval for a much larger constellation of nearly 30,000 satellites, the FCC has, for now, deferred authorization for the remaining proposed Gen2 satellites, particularly those intended for operations above 600 km. Strict deadlines have been set for SpaceX, requiring 50% of the newly authorized Gen2 satellites to be launched, placed in their assigned orbits, and operational by December 1, 2028, with the remaining satellites to be deployed by December 2031. This development marks a pivotal step in SpaceX's mission to provide ubiquitous, high-speed internet access across the globe.