Monday, August 29, 2022

T-Mobile, Starlink Face Heavy Lifting for Satellite Cell Phone Plan

By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
UPDATE T-Mobile and SpaceX have a lot to figure out before they can begin testing the ability of Starlink broadband satellites to connect to cell phones next year. Inside Towers reported on Friday concerning their plan to fix dead spots in cell phone coverage with broadband satellites. However, SpaceX needs to develop a much bigger and more powerful rocket to carry heavier satellites into space.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk describes the heavier and more powerful antennas needed as “the most advanced in the world, we think.” Cell phones operating on T-Mobile will be able to access SpaceX’s next-generation Starlink V2 satellites, set to launch next year.

The massive antennas will be able to emulate a cell tower, reports The Washington Post. If there is no local coverage available, phones will automatically connect to the satellites traveling overhead at 17,000 miles per hour. Musk says the antennas will also need to compensate for that satellite speed. Continue Reading

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