SpaceX has announced that it plans to test cellular service on the Starlink satellite network in partnership with T-Mobile later this year. The test will involve using Starlink’s satellite internet service to provide cellular connectivity in remote areas where traditional cell towers are not available.
The move comes as SpaceX continues to build out its Starlink satellite network, which aims to provide high-speed internet access to users in rural and remote areas around the world. The company has already launched more than 1,000 satellites into orbit and plans to launch thousands more in the coming years.
In a statement, T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said, “We’re excited to work with SpaceX to extend our customer reach and bring high-speed connectivity to areas that previously have been underserved or unserved. T-Mobile’s relationship with SpaceX will allow us to expand our coverage and further accelerate our 5G strategy.”
The market for space-based data services that go directly to devices on the ground, such as smartphones, is widely considered to have lucrative potential.
The test will be conducted using Starlink’s satellite internet service, which currently provides internet speeds of up to 150 Mbps to users in the United States and Canada. The service is already being used by early adopters in rural areas who have limited access to traditional broadband internet services.
The partnership with T-Mobile will allow SpaceX to test the use of Starlink’s satellite network to provide cellular connectivity in areas where traditional cell towers are not available. This could be a major breakthrough for people in remote areas who currently have limited or no access to cellular service.
The company currently has “well over” 1 million Starlink users,.
The test will also be a major step forward for SpaceX, which is looking to expand its services beyond satellite internet. The company has previously discussed the possibility of using Starlink’s satellite network to provide emergency response services, as well as to connect self-driving cars and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
With its growing network of satellites and partnerships with companies like T-Mobile, SpaceX is well-positioned to become a major player in the telecommunications industry. The company’s innovative approach to providing connectivity in remote areas could have a major impact on people around the world who currently lack access to reliable internet and cellular service.
