T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert and SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced their partnership plans on August 25, 2022.
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SpaceX founder Elon Musk and T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert say their companies are working to “end the mobile dead zone” and will launch a new mobile service designed enabled by Starlink’s second generation satellite and T Mobile bandwidth.
Starlink consists of a network of satellites that SpaceX has launched into low Earth orbit and is designed to provide high-speed Internet in remote locations around the globe. SpaceX has launched more than 2,700 satellites to support this network.
Speaking at the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Texas on Thursday night, Sievert said T-Mobile will dedicate “part of its mid-band PCS spectrum” to integration into the Starlink satellite launched next year.
T-Mobile users will be able to use messaging apps, MMS, and certain messaging apps, from remote locations across 48 states, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii, and even some locations. in remote areas.
Eventually, the service will work with voice, Sievert said. T-Mobile plans to include the service in its most popular mobile plans, but did not disclose specific pricing.
Musk said the service will work with Starlink’s second-generation satellites, which have very large antennas and will be able to transmit directly to cell phones or cell phones.
The service will not require mobile users to have a new phone. Musk said during or after a natural disaster, even if all cell towers are removed, the planned service will work.
Musk pointed out, “This won’t have the kind of bandwidth that a Starlink terminal would have, but this will allow messaging, it will allow pictures, and if there aren’t too many people in the mobile area , you can even have a little bit of a video.” He added, “We won’t read about these tragedies that happened when people got lost, if only they could call for help they would be fine. .”
T-Mobile will also offer a “reciprocal roaming” service, so that visitors to the US from outside can use the service if they also partner with SpaceX to enable the service globally. Musk and Sievert have invited overseas carriers to join their alliance.
Shares of T Mobile closed up one point on Thursday at $147.07 and is trending slightly higher after hours.
Like CNBC Pro As previously reported, Morgan Stanley analysts wrote in an industry note this week that they prioritize T-Mobile as a top choice in telecom services and that they “expect T-Mobile.” -Mobile continues to capture market share, driving earnings outpacing growth, with acquisitions likely to begin soon.”
– CNBC’s Michael Sheetz contributed reporting.
This is an evolving story. Please check back for updates.
