T-Mobile and SpaceX Starlink Announce that Your 5G Smartphone Will Be Able to Connect to Satellites Next Spring
T-Mobile claims it is eliminating mobile dead zones through a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink Satellite internet. This was announced at an event hosted jointly by Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile, and Elon Musk. Mobile phones can connect to satellites using a portion of the connection that provides approximately 2 to 4 Megabits per Second (total) over a certain coverage area.
This connection should allow you to text, send MMS messages, and use “select messaging applications” when you have a clear sky view, even if no other service is available. According to a press release from T-Mobile, the “satellite-to-cellular service” will be available “everywhere in the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and territorial waters.” The service is scheduled to launch in beta by the end of next year in “select areas,” and Sievert says he hopes it will someday include data.
Musk claims that second-generation Starlink Satellites will be able to broadcast service using part of T-Mobile’s PCS spectrum. This was made possible by T-Mobile’s purchase of Sprint several years ago. Musk stated that the new satellites will have antennas that measure 5-6 meters in size to allow for new connections.
The equipment will be launched by the Starship rocket .
Musk said that if there aren’t too many people in your cell zone, you might even be able to have a bit of video. T-Mobile and Starlink will work together to enable messaging apps such as WhatsApp and iMessage to recognize the satellite connection once it launches.
Musk added a little more detail, saying that, unlike other internet services, it could be used without Starlink’s entire satellite constellation. It could be limited to specific messages and services, or only in areas that don’t have cellular connectivity. However, you may have to wait up to 30 minutes for a message.
Two executives stated that they are looking for partnerships with mobile operators worldwide that would be interested in spectrum sharing agreements to allow their customers to connect with SpaceX. These connections could be used by T-Mobile customers as well as those who travel to other countries.
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