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SpaceX, T-Mobile to connect satellites to cellphones in remote areas

wsj.com

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Re: SpaceX, T-Mobile to connect satellites to cellphones in remote areas

#161

Post by brokenodo »

wongarsu wrote: post #76
nootropicat wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What the... is that what's possible with 5G? Amazing, and even days ago I was thinking of satellite smartphone internet as something scifi because of (clearly incorrect!) complicated antenna requirements.

4G/LTE was commonly quoted as 3km range for rural installations (using the 2GHz bands). 5G added 700MHz and 800MHz bands that are quoted as 10-20km achievable range. For typical cell tower heights 20km is about the range where they would sink behind the horizon, so that might be the practical limit here. Starlink satellites are about 330km up, so one order of magnitude further. But they also have basically unobstruct…

FWIW, 5G isn’t really to “thank” for increased range. LTE was widely deployed on the 700Mhz band in the early 2010s and line of sight range could easily exceed 10 miles for useable data.

Re: SpaceX, T-Mobile to connect satellites to cellphones in remote areas

#163

Post by bhauer »

ericabiz wrote: post #153

I believe this is SpaceX trying to stay one step ahead of Apple. Anyone else remember this strange rumor about iPhones including satellite capability a year ago? https://www.macrumors.com/2021/08/29/iphone-13-to-feature-le... Now you have Apple’s event in a couple weeks themed “Far Out” with space pictures. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Apple announced something similar, possibly with Globalstar instead. Of cours…

If you are right, T-Mobile's effort to get Apple onboard with making the necessary changes to separate iMessage payload from regular cell data on these special low-bandwidth space-cells could be a challenge.

Re: SpaceX, T-Mobile to connect satellites to cellphones in remote areas

#164

Post by woevdbz »

xcskier56 wrote: post #91
xcskier56 wrote: post #78

While I see the great potential in this technology, the collateral damage is the loss of places where one can truly disconnect. I just got back from 4 days camping at a remote mountain lake with zero phone coverage, and it’s one of the most incredible ways to fully recharge and step away from the day to day treadmill of the modern world. When we loose the possibility to completely disconnect, I at least, will feel a…

To everyone saying “just don’t bring your phone” 1) Camera: iPhones are about the best lightweight camera I’m willing to purchase 2) Navigation: Offline maps with details like slope angle are critical when traveling in the backcountry in winter. Yes I use paper maps too, but some things are much easier digital. 3) I don’t want to leave it in the car to get stolen. And about airplane mode. Yes “disconnecting is a choi…

> And about airplane mode. Yes “disconnecting is a choice”, but if the internet is just the flip of a button away, I’ve found I’m not able to keep that button off.

Leave your SIM card home

Re: SpaceX, T-Mobile to connect satellites to cellphones in remote areas

#166

Post by joshuamoes »

ta988 wrote: post #123
toomuchtodo wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Iridium in shambles.

I would still trust iridium more for a life or death situation than T-Mobile...

The bigger thing would be availability. I have an inreach and use it probably bi-weekly, however most people cannot justify the 400$ device and subscription, this would be included

Re: SpaceX, T-Mobile to connect satellites to cellphones in remote areas

#168

Post by fivestarman »

ALittleLight wrote: post #124
mplewis wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

I think you damage your own credibility more than Musk's by saying things like this. He's delivered on electric cars and reusable rockets. It's fair to say promises more than he delivers, but he delivers an awful lot.

No post body was provided.

Re: SpaceX, T-Mobile to connect satellites to cellphones in remote areas

#169

Post by joshuamoes »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #61
joshuamoes wrote: post #42

This will shake up a lot of things in the sattelite market. It will take a lot of marketshare from satellite trackers like inreach. Also living in a remote area, and being familiar with the existing tracking solutions for transport this could be a lot cheaper per asset. Also remote sensor locations. Anything low bitrate.

Iridium in shambles.

I'm curious what ideas are going around the boardroom table right now.

Re: SpaceX, T-Mobile to connect satellites to cellphones in remote areas

#170

Post by e-clinton »

ALittleLight wrote: post #124
mplewis wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

I think you damage your own credibility more than Musk's by saying things like this. He's delivered on electric cars and reusable rockets. It's fair to say promises more than he delivers, but he delivers an awful lot.

I agree that he delivers a lot, but the comment is still fair seems he constantly over-promises and under delivers.
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