T-Mobile, the US operator, has announced an agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink, the company’s satellite internet service, to the operator’s customers. The idea, as described by both Mike Sievert (CEO of T-Mobile) and Elon Musk, is to offer connection in those regions of the country where there is no coverage due to the lack of terrestrial antennas that provide service.
Initially, the service will offer a bandwidth between 2 and 4 Mbps. The goal is that, initially, customers can send SMS, MMS and even use some messaging applications. The only requirement will be to have a clear view of the sky in order to establish a connection with the Starlink satellite network.
The company ensures that, once the 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 contracted one of the company’s most popular plans.
This system will be based on the Starlink V2 satellites, which will be launched over the next year and will be capable of transmitting 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, thus facilitating their adoption by consumers. Testing with T-Mobile customers, both parties have announced, will begin late next year in select US regions.
Teslas will also connect to Starlink
SpaceX’s plans, however, don’t stop at its deal with T-Mobile. Elon Musk has confirmed on Twitter that, Once Starlink’s V2 satellites are operational, they will also be able to serve Tesla carswhich currently use the networks of national carriers for features such as live traffic status, maps, streaming of multimedia services or even the updates of software.
The tycoon has not given details about 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 is being pursued, is certainly interesting.
Initially, the logical thing would be for the connectivity of the Tesla to Starlink to coexist with the connection to 4G networks. Above all, for performance. A 4G network is capable of delivering much higher bandwidth than the 2-4 Mbps promised by the new Starlink satellites at the moment. However, in situations where the 4G network is non-existent, having the SpaceX service can be of great help.
The potential of satellite internet
Both SpaceX’s agreement with T-Mobile and the possible connection of the Tesla are two examples of the multiple uses of a satellite internet service like Starlink. It is expected that, in the not too distant future, Starlink will also provide internet connection on planes. In fact, the FCC – the US telecommunications regulator – gave the green light to Elon Musk’s company in this regard this summer.
These new uses are added to all those customers who have contracted the Starlink service for the home, which requires the installation of a satellite dish, the payment of a monthly fee and delivers speeds comparable to fiber optics or 5G.