Earlier quoted context omitted.
> astronomical fee
Compared to what? Traditional satellite phone corporations used to charge something like 8 USD/min.
I think OP is pointing out the pun in this case.
Starlink Direct to Cell
71–80 of 831 posts
Re: Starlink Direct to Cell
#72Can anyone explain how upload would work? How can an unmodified cellphone upload data to a satellite?
Your cell phone uses the nearest base station, the base station will handover to the satellite infra.
No, that’s just satellite backhaul for a cell tower. That’s not hard, but also typically if you can get power to a base station you can run fiber along the same poles the power runs on.
This is direct from handset to satellite, it’s clearly explained in the link.
Re: Starlink Direct to Cell
#73> ENGINEERED BY SPACEX It would be very interesting to see some kind of diagram depicting all of the corporate entities Musk is involved in and how each entity does business with one another. xAI just raised billions to help Tesla build out FSD (or at least that was part of the pitch). His empire is divided into so many corporate entities, but they all cross-pollinate and are clearly under his direct control for the…
Starlink and SpaceX have an even closer relationship than most other Musk companies; Starlink is a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX.
> Starlink is a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX.
Starlink is not a separate entity — it's a division of Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
From Terms of Service[1]:
> Your order for two-way satellite-based internet service (“Services”) and a Starlink antenna, Wi-Fi router and mount (“Starlink Kit” or “Kit”) is subject to the terms (“Terms”) of this Starlink agreement for the United States and its territories. These Terms, those terms incorporated by reference, and the details you agree to in your online order (“Order”) form the entire agreement (“Agreement”) between you (“customer” or “user”) and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (known as “Starlink” in these Terms).
[1]: https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1020-91087-64?r...
Re: Starlink Direct to Cell
#74Can anyone explain how upload would work? How can an unmodified cellphone upload data to a satellite?
very slowly, with the radio at maximum power, and no obstructions
Re: Starlink Direct to Cell
#75I wish I could pay Starlink directly and have global satellite based LTE instead of having to go through a specific carrier and be limited by other carriers’ reciprocity to specific countries and bands One space based cell plan for the whole world
I suspect the primary reason they took this approach is that licensing for these frequencies is astronomical if you want to cover the entire US. That would bleed them dry as they build out the constellation and try to ramp up user count.
Partnering with a national carrier handles the licensing aspect and if the tech pans out the economics could shift to allow them to buy national spectrum and offer direct service.
Re: Starlink Direct to Cell
#76Can anyone explain how upload would work? How can an unmodified cellphone upload data to a satellite?
My thinking is that you can think of Starlink satellites as LTE towers that just happen to be ~350 miles away from your phone. It happens to work because while they are far away, the satellites have a very clear line of sight (directly down) with few (no) obstacles.
The complication is that the base stations will be moving much more rapidly than traditional terrestrial towers.
Re: Starlink Direct to Cell
#77I feel so, so mixed about this. It’s going to be unambiguously good for wilderness rescue and disaster response. But I like camping and hiking in remote areas in order to remove myself from the world. And I think the lack of connectivity discourages unprepared people from taking on more than they can handle in the wilderness. If the wilderness becomes fully connected, will it spoil that feeling? Will it lead to the l…
People have been making TikTok videos in the wilderness this entire time, they just wait until they get service to upload them.
Sure, and people were making YouTube videos in the wilderness before that, but the accessibility that came with TikTok and Instagram created a phenomenon increased demand tenfold at many parks. That’s why you have to win a lottery to hike Angels Landing in Zion now.
Now we get wilderness livestreams! What will that do?
Re: Starlink Direct to Cell
#78> ENGINEERED BY SPACEX It would be very interesting to see some kind of diagram depicting all of the corporate entities Musk is involved in and how each entity does business with one another. xAI just raised billions to help Tesla build out FSD (or at least that was part of the pitch). His empire is divided into so many corporate entities, but they all cross-pollinate and are clearly under his direct control for the…
Starlink and SpaceX have an even closer relationship than most other Musk companies; Starlink is a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX.
Starlink isn’t a company. It’s a product offered by spacex. Just like Falcon, Starship, and Dragon.
Re: Starlink Direct to Cell
#79Can anyone explain how upload would work? How can an unmodified cellphone upload data to a satellite?
Your cell phone uses the nearest base station, the base station will handover to the satellite infra.
Why do you need satellite if you can connect to a base station? This makes no sense.
No, they claim direct phone to satellite link.