Starlink Direct to Cell • Hacker News Board

Re: Starlink Direct to Cell

#181

Post by torginus » Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 11:14 PM UTC

harrall wrote: post #168

charliebwrites wrote: post #6

I 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 can’t imagine satellites being able to compete with cell towers in bandwidth or capacity. There are millions of cell towers. During a major event, cellular companies set up portable cell towers (COWs) and even these are not enough. And a cell tower that is right next to you still pales in comparison to a single cable in bandwidth.

Yup. Small cell size is actually a feature for cell phone communications. You have to share bandwidth with everyone in your cell - the smaller the cell, the less crowding.

This is a general starlink issue, which is why I don't understand how is it economically or physically viable in crowded areas, such as cities, where the majority of human population lives.

Re: Starlink Direct to Cell

#182

Post by dotBen » Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 11:14 PM UTC

User23 wrote: post #150

Retric wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s not going to work inside buildings, and they would need to charge you a fairly astronomical fee per minute. However, a Starlink mini dish can let you cheaply make calls from basically anywhere with some minor setup.

My 5g doesn't work inside of many buildings.

Definitely on T Mobile, then

Re: Starlink Direct to Cell

#183

Post by walls » Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 11:14 PM UTC

altcognito wrote: post #177

archagon wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, it's certainly how Musk likes to market himself.

12 children, 3 billion dollars companies, "advising" the government on cutting millions of jobs", yet he is "very hands on"

And hundreds of tweets per day.

Re: Starlink Direct to Cell

#184

Post by silisili » Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 11:16 PM UTC

maccam94 wrote: post #74

daRealDodo wrote: post #25

Can 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

Yeah, this is going to decimate your battery life. It's great to have in an emergency, don't get me wrong, but I'd probably leave data off otherwise when out remote.

Re: Starlink Direct to Cell

#185

Post by threeseed » Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 11:19 PM UTC

nordsieck wrote: post #34

jebarker wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Initially I thought the same re: hiking, skiing etc. The only issue I see is that cellphone battery life is terrible compared to inReach like devices. Not sure I'd want to depend on it for longer than a few hours.

> The only issue I see is that cellphone battery life is terrible compared to inReach like devices. Not sure I'd want to depend on it for longer than a few hours. I think it depends on the application you're using it for. If you're constantly using the gps - yeah, I'd definitely agree with you. But if you're using it purely for emergency communication, you can just turn off the cell phone, and it should be fine. It's…

> you can just turn off the cell phone, and it should be fine

Cell phones are far more sensitive to temperature issues than dedicated devices.

And when you do have an issue no external battery is going to help you because they are also sensitive.

Re: Starlink Direct to Cell

#186

Post by bilsbie » Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 11:19 PM UTC

How do I get this with cricket wireless?

Re: Starlink Direct to Cell

#187

Post by smbullet » Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 11:19 PM UTC

dools wrote: post #171

I love how libertarians are willing to use a communication network controlled by a billionaire oligarch who bought a presidency to further his business and personal ideological interests, but are worried about government overreach.

What's your concern with people choosing to use Starlink?

Re: Starlink Direct to Cell

#188

Post by bilsbie » Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 11:21 PM UTC

Is iot useful if it needs a clear view of the sky?

Also why does my cell phone not need a clear view of the cell tower? It works in my brother in laws walk in closet just fine. Same frequency.

Re: Starlink Direct to Cell

#189

Post by mrandish » Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 11:21 PM UTC

Reason077 wrote: post #135

charliebwrites wrote: post #6

I 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

Starlink would need to license LTE spectrum in every country it operated. Much easier to work with local carriers and piggyback on their existing bandwidth.

> license LTE spectrum in every country

I think this is the biggest reason. All nation's governments will absolutely ensure, overtly or covertly, that their national regulators limit any space-based supra-national system from being able to threaten their national telephony and data carriers. Why? Preventing losing national capabilities, government revenue (taxes, licenses & other domestic carrier fees, lobbying, kickbacks, bribes, etc) and, most importantly, losing the ability to snoop at will on calls and data (at least metadata if not full-take). Even in countries where the major carriers are all based in other nations, existing towers being land-based creates jurisdiction for the government to control and tax.

While many westernized democracies like to proclaim their commitment to freedom, rule of law and individual human rights - in practice there are currently zero governments on earth free enough to not consider loss of that absolute control over citizen's private communication an existential threat. Even in places where existing laws don't currently make it illegal, as soon as technology enables it - it will certainly be made illegal (by any means necessary). I assume SpaceX is smart enough to understand this reality.

Re: Starlink Direct to Cell

#190

Post by schiffern » Sun, Nov 24, 2024, 11:21 PM UTC

jebarker wrote: post #5

bhauer wrote: post #3

I switched to T-Mobile at the last upgrade interval because of this. My family looks forward to no longer relying on Garmin InReach devices when out hiking.

Initially I thought the same re: hiking, skiing etc. The only issue I see is that cellphone battery life is terrible compared to inReach like devices. Not sure I'd want to depend on it for longer than a few hours.

Good news: people who pay more still get all those benefits.

And now, other people have some access (if non-optimal) to rescue services, despite the fact that they didn't (or couldn't afford to) pay more for inReach.

I see this as an unqualified win.