T-Mobile and SpaceX have announced that the Starlink satellite launched next year will be able to connect directly to carrier phones over existing cellular bands. The companies hope to enable global roaming anywhere there is satellite coverage, and the service could be added to existing T-Mobile plans for free.
SpaceX’s Elon Musk and T-Mobile’s Mike Sievert announced a “tech alliance” at the space company’s Starbase in Texas.
“It’s like putting a cell tower in the sky, just a lot harder,” Sievert said. “Your phone doesn’t really know it’s connecting to space. It will think it is connected to a cell tower, because the phone is using industry standard technology communication protocols and it has spectrum built in, as the vast majority of phones are. current circulation. “
Indeed it is exactly what Lynk proved last year, which focuses on providing emergency messaging available everywhere from several satellites. But admittedly Starlink has a larger presence in orbit, allowing it to – theoretically – provide a more frequent and high-bandwidth connection.
But the theory is the word, as it seems that this connection is yet to be proven in orbit. (At least they don’t say it ever happened – I’ve reached out to T-Mobile to find out more and will update if I get a response.)
“We need to do more than reprogram sat, we are building a special antenna, the most advanced phased array antenna in the world. They have to receive a very quiet signal from your cell phone,” Musk said at the event. “There’s a lot of complicated hardware and software, because it’s moving so fast – they’re moving through the air at 17,000 miles per hour. Normally, a cell phone tower doesn’t move at 17,000 miles per hour.”
At first, the service will only enable text messaging and possibly messaging apps, though Sievert warned that “we haven’t really started working with other companies… that’s a bit of a problem. technical issues that we need help with partners”. There can also be a significant delay of “half an hour or so” until the message is sent or received.
However, Musk suggests that the specifications of the antenna and the service are capable of allowing for multiple voice calls and real-time messaging at the same time.
The service will only work with T-Mobile’s own licensed spectrum for now, meaning it’s something exclusive. However, both Sievert and Musk have indicated that they want to find deals with suppliers in other countries using compatible spectrum, which offers a “reciprocal roaming” arrangement. That also needs to be determined.
Sievert notes that the products and services themselves are still in production multiple times, but you can expect to hear more in the coming months as details unfold with the companies mentioned and The technology itself is proven.
