SpaceX appears to be aiming for a fall 2024 launch for its long-awaited Starlink direct-to-mobile phone service. The company’s plans were mentioned in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“SpaceX appreciates the Commission’s leadership in adopting a flexible regulatory framework for supplemental coverage from space (‘SCS’) that will enable ubiquitous mobile coverage for consumers and first responders and will set a strong example for other countries to to be followed. SpaceX supports virtually all of the Commission’s recent SCS order and looks forward to launching commercial direct mobile service in the United States this fall,” the filing said.
The FCC filing also provided some details on SpaceX’s further plans for its Starlink direct-to-mobile technology. While Starlink’s direct-to-cell system is designed to offer users text, voice and web browsing capabilities at launch, more advanced features may appear in the future.
The first video call is activated @X completed through @Starlink Direct to mobile satellites from unmodified mobile phones!
We are excited to live with it @TMmobile later this year 🛰️🌎 pic.twitter.com/v4nA5B75EX
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 21, 2024
“Although SpaceX currently intends to offer text, voice and web browsing through its extra coverage network, future innovations may allow for an even more powerful extra coverage service and enhanced features. While this enhanced service will not replace land-based cellular networks, it would provide an expanded source of connectivity where those networks do not exist,” the FCC filing said.
While a fall 2024 launch for Starlink’s direct-to-cell service is exciting, SpaceX noted in its filing that a potential stumbling block lies in the FCC’s current framework for satellite-to-phone connectivity. SpaceX’s filing asked the FCC to reconsider the general limit on radio frequencies for cellular satellites, as noted in a PCMag report.
“A comprehensive, blanket out-of-band limit… will unfortunately defeat the purpose of providing robust coverage during emergencies… Because these limits will apply even where no adjacent terrestrial networks exist or where those networks have been damaged by disasters natural, the overall limit will unnecessarily limit the coverage and quality of the direct cellular connection even when there is no risk of adjacent band interference,” SpaceX noted in its filing.
SpaceX’s FCC filing can be viewed below.
Launch of Starlink Mobile Service by Simon Alvarez on Scribd
Don’t hesitate to contact us with new tips. Just send a message to [email protected] to let us know.
#SpaceX #notes #launch #Starlink #directtomobile #service #fall
Image Source : www.teslarati.com
