T-Mobile phones will connect to Starlink for free starting next year
SpaceX and T-Mobile announced their plans to expand coverage for T-Mobile users, enabling them to connect directly to SpaceX’s Starlink satellites which are to be launched next year. The technology alliance was announced at an event hosted by T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert and SpaceX’s CEO Elon Musk at the space company’s Starbase in Texas.
The company wishes to enable global roaming services in places where satellite coverage is available and the services may be added for free to existing T-Mobile users and will charge for low-cost plans at a lower price than regular satellite services charges.
Existing 5G phones would be able to connect without modifications as a result of the slice of T-Mobile‘s 5G spectrum that will be integrated into the second-generation Starlink Satellite and will be used for connectivity as well. That means 5G phones can connect everywhere even in a place without a cellular tower.
Mike Sievert, the CEO of T-mobiles said it’s a lot like putting a cellular tower in the sky, just a lot harder “your phone doesn’t really know it’s connecting for space. It’ll think it’s connected to a cell tower because that phone is using industry-standard technology communication protocols and it has the spectrum already built in, as the vast majority of phones in circulation today do”.He added.
Elon Musk also tweeted that connectivity will be 2 to 4 megabits per cell zone, which isn’t a high bandwidth if shared by multiple people but is enough for texting and calling. Though Sievert said the company will keep going until the service can also offer data mad voice.
According to news reports, the Starlink Satellites will be available everywhere in the US.
When Musk was asked at the event if Tesla is going to get access to the company’s expanded coverage, he said Tesla vehicles will also get access to this type of coverage, which could be a potential life-saver if your car ever gets stuck in the middle of nowhere.
