Elon Musk broadcasts T-Cellular cell protection from Starlink satellites

T-Cellular says it’s eliminating cellular lifeless zones because of a brand new partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet, at an event hosted by T-Cellular CEO Mike Sievert and Elon Musk.

In accordance with Musk, second-generation Starlink satellites launching subsequent yr will be capable of broadcast service utilizing a part of T-Cellular’s mid-band 5G spectrum. Musk stated the brand new satellites can have “large, large antennas” to allow the brand new connections, and that the plan is to launch the gear utilizing its upcoming Starship rocket. The 2 execs stated they’re looking for partnerships with cellular carriers all over the world who can be concerned with reciprocal spectrum sharing agreements in order that their clients can hyperlink up with SpaceX, and when T-Cellular clients come to different nations, they may additionally use these connections.

Picture: SpaceX

The corporate says it’ll allow you to textual content, ship MMS messages, and even use “choose messaging apps” every time you will have a transparent view of the sky, even when there’s no conventional service accessible. “If there aren’t too many individuals within the cell zone, it’s possible you’ll doubtlessly actually have a little little bit of video,” stated Musk. As Sievert described it, operators of messaging apps might want to work with T-Cellular and Starlink for his or her providers to acknowledge the satellite tv for pc connection and work with it as soon as it launches.

Musk supplied a bit extra element by saying that, not like typical web service, it may work with out entry to Starlink’s full satellite tv for pc constellation. By limiting it to sure messages and providers, in addition to solely in locations that don’t presently have mobile connectivity, it may use an intermittent connection as satellites cross inside vary for “fundamental” protection.

The service will launch in beta subsequent yr, and Sievert says he hopes it can sometime embrace information. He says that when it launches, T-Cellular’s “imaginative and prescient” is for it to be included totally free within the provider’s “hottest plans,” although he did say that at the moment’s occasion isn’t an official announcement.

T-Cellular says that subscribers’ present telephones will be capable of make the most of the community — no particular gear required. Whereas rumors have been circulating that future iPhones will include satellite communications, doubtlessly for emergency response functions, that’s not the type of tech T-Cellular is banking on right here. As Elon Musk stated within the announcement: “the telephone you presently have will work.”

Sievert additionally stated that T-Cellular was “open” to the potential of utilizing SpaceX for its community backhaul sooner or later, particularly in rural areas. Whereas that’s clearly a number of steps forward from what the 2 corporations are pitching now, it may assist make it inexpensive for the provider to develop its community.

Earlier this yr, SpaceX lost a bid for rural internet subsidies due to the price of its gear. But when it could possibly piggy-back off T-Cellular’s present gear, which individuals in rural areas might already personal, that would assist its case with the Federal Communications Fee. The presentation on Thursday definitely hit on the concept of rural protection, with movies of individuals in distant parks, the mountains, or herding animals.

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