Alex Bruno
According to T-Mobile and SpaceX, their partnership would “improve connectivity.” To disclose the specifics of their deal, the firms planned a media event on Thursday evening. Elon Musk of SpaceX and T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert will be present. According to the firms’ planned Livestream on YouTube, “SpaceX Lead Engineer Elon and T-Mobile Chairman and President Mike Sievert will present a public update on how T-Mobile and SpaceX will work together to boost connectivity” at 7:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, August 25 at Starbase.
The two businesses gave no other details of their collaboration. The new pairing might be due to a variety of factors. In areas where fiber connections are not accessible, T-Mobile might employ Starlink satellite Internet connections to link its rural mobile towers to the Internet. With regard to that, Verizon and Amazon already have a contract. Along with its terrestrial 5G options, T-Mobile might also bundle Starlink’s LEO satellite Internet services.
It’s improbable, but not impossible, that the agreement would include some kind of technology that would allow T-Mobile customers to use their cellphones directly to connect to satellites in areas where the firm’s cellular signal is not accessible. Since similar services are already being provided by satellites, businesses like Lynk and AST SpaceMobile have been striving to launch those satellites.
Additionally, it has been widely reported that Apple and satellite provider Globalstar is working on some kind of arrangement that might see Globalstar offering services straight to Apple iPhones. Additionally, the Virginia-based satellite company Iridium recently said that it has “engaged into a development arrangement to allow Iridium’s technology in cellphones.”
Last but not least, it’s important to note that Starlink is not mentioned in the press release from T-Mobile and SpaceX. A rocket business called SpaceX specializes in sending satellites and other payloads into orbit. A subsidiary of SpaceX called Starlink uses the company’s launch vehicles to carry hundreds of its LEO satellites to orbit.
Source: Lightreading
