T-Mobile, the American operator, has announced an agreement with SpaceX to to bring Starlink, the company’s satellite Internet service, to the operator’s customers. The idea, described by both Mike Sievert (CEO of T-Mobile) and Elon Musk, is to provide connectivity in areas of the country where there is no coverage due to the absence of antennas land to provide the service.
Initially, the service will offer bandwidth between 2 and 4 Mbps. The aim is that, initially, customers can send SMS, MMS and even use certain messaging applications. The only requirement will be a clear view of the sky in order to establish a connection to the Starlink satellite network.
The company says that once development is complete, the service will be available throughout the United States, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and territorial waters. In principle, there will be no additional cost for those who have one of the company’s most popular plans.
Note, connectivity will be 2 to 4 Mbits per cell zone, so will work great for texting & voice calls, but not high bandwidth
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 26, 2022
This system will be based on Starlink V2 satellites which will be launched within the next year and will be able to transmit signals directly to mobile phones without the need for accessories or having to buy a new phone. In other words, they will provide service from space using the same frequencies and technologies used in conventional cellular networks, which will facilitate consumer adoption. Trials with T-Mobile customers, as announced by both parties, will begin late next year in select areas of the United States.
SpaceX’s plans don’t stop with its deal with T-Mobile, however. Elon Musk confirmed it on Twitter, once Starlink’s V2 satellites are operational, they will also be able to service Tesla cars that currently use national carrier networks for features such as live traffic status, maps, traffic information, traffic information, and streaming multimedia services or updates to software.
The tycoon did not provide details on when and how the future connection of Tesla cars to Starlink satellites would work, but the fact that this option is not only on the table, but being pursued, is certainly interesting.
Initially, it would make sense for Tesla connectivity to Starlink to coexist with 4G network connectivity above all, for performance. A 4G network is capable of delivering much higher bandwidth than the 2-4 Mbps promised by new Starlink satellites at the moment. However, in situations where the 4G network is non-existent, SpaceX’s service can be of great help.
The potential of satellite internet
SpaceX’s deal with T-Mobile and the possible connection of Tesla cars are two examples of the multiple uses of a satellite internet service such as Starlink. It is expected that in the not too distant future, Starlink will also provide internet connectivity on planes. In fact, the FCC, the US telecommunications regulator, gave the green light to Elon Musk’s company this summer.
These new uses are in addition to those of all customers who have subscribed to Starlink’s domestic service, which requires the installation of a satellite dish, the payment of a monthly fee and the implementation of a monitoring system. alarm offers speeds comparable to fiber optic or 5G.