JBee
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- JB
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Space X and T-Mobile announced a few hours ago that they will launch a new mobile phone service that will be compatible with most existing mobile phones, by emulating a cell tower in space on a v2 Starlink satellite. This means worldwide coverage using Starlink v2 and your existing mobile!
Key points:
- Requires v2 Starlink satellites launched with Starship because they are 7m long (they have a 5m option for Falcon if Starship takes longer)
- Uses dedicated fold out 5m wide (25sqm) phased array antennas optimized to operate at high orbital velocities to compensate for doppler effect
- Uses T-Mobiles existing mid band cellular frequencies and carrier license and is therefore restricted, currently, to the USA and territories (further countries need local carrier)
- Because it's a "orbital cell tower" it functions with most existing mobile handsets without any extra hardware or software configuration - your mobile will simply see it as a cell tower and try to connect to it, and Starlink handles all the the rest
- Bandwidth is limited given the cell coverage area of the orbital cell, and is expected to be between 2-4Mbit/s, meaning its optimized for 100,000 text messages, or up to 1000 voice calls simultaneously. Obviously in low user densities this could become media capable as well as they will prioritize messaging (and maybe Starchat/StarSquare/StarWe?)
- Beta to start next year with Emergency services taking priority (Pending v2 Launches)
- T-Mobile to bundle the cost for free into popular it's plans
This is a game changer because:
- It will allow point to point messaging of limited data anywhere on the planet
- Fantastic for IoT connectivity
- Could make payment and ordering systems global, and essentially eradicating banks and EFT terminals for transfers.
- Will be a big boost for rural areas and services (thanks Elon, I knew you were looking out for me! )
- Will be a huge benefit to developing nations that are infrastructure poor
- and areas hit by natural disasters or in conflict zones
- and of course emergency response
- Tesla products and cars could be low bandwidth data enabled globally at no extra cost, at least for tracking, charging, Robotaxi or emergency messaging etc. (now confirmed by EM tweet)
- Tesla Powerwall could be VPP/Sales enabled without data network and comms etc
Sponsored
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