SpaceX is teaming up with mobile provider T-Mobile to use the private space company's satellite networks to expand its network without adding cell towers.
The phone network announced"Coverage Above and Beyond" Thursday evening at a public event. The new plan will exist alongside T-Mobile's current plans and use SpaceX's Starlink network to serve those in remote areas where cell service is unavailable.
"The important thing about this is that it means there are no dead zones anywhere in the world for your cell phone," said SpaceX Chief Engineer Elon Musk."We're incredibly excited to do this with T-Mobile." The satellites will use T-Mobile's mid-band spectrum, which the company acquired via its purchase of Sprint, to create the new network.
This plan will build upon a new satellite network Musk dubbed"Starlink V2" that will transmit directly to mobile devices and aim to eliminate dead zones worldwide. Connection speeds will be between 2-4 megabits per cell zone, which will allow for voice and text but not high-bandwidth connections, according to Musk.
The SpaceX announcement arrived days after the Federal Communications Commission rejected Starlink's bid to receive rural internet subsidies due to the service's expensive hardware costs.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SpaceX and T-Mobile to connect Starlink satellites to mobile phonesInsider tells the global tech, finance, markets, media, healthcare, and strategy stories you want to know.
Read more »
Musk's SpaceX and T-Mobile plan to connect mobile phones to satellites, boost cell coverageU.S wireless carrier T-Mobile US Inc will use Elon Musk-owned SpaceX's Starlink satellites to provide mobile users with network access in parts of the United States, the companies announced.
Read more »
T-Mobile partners with SpaceX to 'end mobile dead zones' | Digital TrendsTMobile is partnering with SpaceX to dramatically boost its cellphonecoverage in an effort to 'end mobile dead zones.'
Read more »
Musk's SpaceX and T-Mobile plan to connect mobile phones to satellites, boost cell coverageThe new plans, which would exist alongside T-mobile's existing cellular services, would cut out the need for cell towers and offer service for sending texts and images where cell coverage does not currently exist, key for emergency situations in remote areas, Musk said at a flashy event on Thursday at his company's south Texas rocket facility. Starlink's satellites will use T-Mobile's mid-band spectrum to create a new network.
Read more »
SpaceX and T-Mobile want to eliminate 'dead zones' using satellitesElon Musk's SpaceX and T-Mobile are teaming up in an attempt to connect mobile devices through a network of satellites, providing coverage to even the most isolated places.
Read more »
T-Mobile and SpaceX Starlink say your 5G phone will connect to satellites next yearSend texts, pictures, and maybe video from anywhere
Read more »