Media: Elon Musk Tests in Romania to Change Global Satellite Regulation

Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite company, is running tests in Romania, with the agreement and support of the National Communications Administration and Regulation Authority (ANCOM), through which it tries to demonstrate that a global norm dating from the 90s that limits technical new generation, non-geostationary satellites can be relaxed without affecting the operation of classical, geostationary satellites, Profit.ro reports.

The norm targeted by Elon Musk was developed and enforced worldwide by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the specialized IT&C agency of the UN. The regulation stipulates a certain limit for the power that low-orbit satellites can transmit to and from associated ground equipment, an indicator called Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD). The effect of the limit is that it restricts the speed and coverage area that can be provided by satellite internet services such as Starlink. Its purpose is to protect geostationary satellites from interference that would disrupt their operation. SpaceX, Elon Musk’s company that controls Starlink, has long lobbied for an increase in the EPFD limit.

Romania has become the first country in the world on the territory of which a study is being carried out to demonstrate that the EPFD limit can be increased more than significantly compared to the current imposed level, without disruptions, according to Profit.ro sources.

As early as July of this year, in collaboration with ANCOM, Starlink started an “EPFD test” in Romania, scheduled to last at least six months. As part of the test, under the supervision of ANCOM, Starlink was authorized to exceed the current EPFD cap imposed globally and to operate in accordance with certain operational parameters agreed with ANCOM, in a certain limited area and exclusively for the duration of the test.

The study that will be carried out based on the test will have to determine whether new generation satellites, such as Starlink, can operate at higher EPFD levels without affecting classic satellites.

ANCOM’s intention is to share the results of the study within the ITU meetings dedicated to the subject. Elon Musk wants to demonstrate that Starlink satellites can operate at up to eight times the capabilities currently allowed by the ITU’s EPFD limit, while still protecting geostationary satellites.