SpaceX gets US approval for direct-to-cell tests

FILE PHOTO: SpaceX logo and Elon Musk photo are seen in this illustration taken, December 19, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

(Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday granted authorization to Elon Musk's SpaceX to run tests for its direct-to-cellular system, according to regulatory filings.

This news comes after the FCC had reaffirmed on Tuesday its 2022 decision to deny SpaceX's satellite internet unit Starlink $885.5 million in rural broadband subsidies.

(Reporting by Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)