The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said Thursday it approved SpaceX’s application to deploy as many as 7,500 satellites but put some other decisions on hold.

SpaceX’s Starlink, a fast-growing network of more than 3,500 satellites in low-Earth orbit, has tens of thousands of US users, with consumers paying at least $599 for a user terminal and $110 a month for the service. The FCC approved SpaceX’s plan to deploy as many as 4,425 first-generation satellites in 2018.

SpaceX has sought approval to operate a network of 29,988 satellites, dubbed its “second generation” or Gen2 Starlink constellation, to beam internet to areas with little or no internet access.

“Our actions will allow SpaceX to begin deploying Gen2 Starlink, which will bring the next generation of satellite broadband to Americans,” the FCC said in its approval order. It will provide satellite broadband services worldwide, helping bridge the digital divide.

The FCC said its decision “will protect other satellite and ground operators from harmful interference and maintain a safe space environment” and protect “spectrum and orbital resources for future use.”

In August, a US appeals court upheld the FCC’s 2021 decision approving SpaceX’s plan to deploy some of its Starlink satellites in lower-than-planned Earth orbit as part of its efforts to provide space-based broadband internet.

In September, SpaceX challenged the FCC’s decision to deny it $885.5 million in rural broadband subsidies. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in August that Starlink’s technology “has real promise” but would not meet the programme’s requirements, citing data showing a steady decline in speeds over the past year and the price of the service is considered too high for consumers.