Is Elon Musk making a satellite phone?

SpaceX is getting ready to test its Starlink satellite

Starlink satellite

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, providing satellite Internet access coverage to over 50 countries. It also aims for global mobile phone service after 2023. SpaceX started launching Starlink satellites in 2019.

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Starlink

Starlink - Wikipedia

-to-cell phone service. Elon Musk previously announced the feature would come to T-Mobile

T-Mobile

T-Mobile US, Inc. is an American wireless network operator headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas and Bellevue, Washington, U.S. Its largest shareholder is a multinational telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom AG, which as of August 2022, holds 48.4 percent of the common stock.

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › T-Mobile_US

T-Mobile US - Wikipedia

phones in 2023.

How much will the Starlink phone cost?

About Starlink Hardware

Starlink's equipment will typically cost you a one-time hardware fee of approximately $599 to $2,500, depending on which plan you choose.

How much does Starlink cost a month?

Starlink satellite internet costs $110 a month for download speeds of 20–100 Mbps. To compare, a satellite internet plan from Viasat ranges from $60 to $160 a month for download speeds of 12 Mbps up to 150 Mbps, and HughesNet plans range from about $50 to $150 a month for download speeds of 25 Mbps.

How fast is T-Mobile Starlink?

“The service will be able to provide voice, messaging, and basic web browsing at theoretical peak speeds of up to either 3.0Mbps or 7.2Mbps peak upload … and up to either 4.4Mbps or 18.3Mbps on the downlink,” SpaceX wrote(Opens in a new window) in the application, which was submitted on Tuesday.

What is the downside to a satellite phone?

One of the main disadvantages of satellite phones is their cost. They are typically more expensive than traditional cell phones, and the cost of the service can be high. Additionally, the cost of the hardware can be prohibitive for some users. Another disadvantage of satellite phones is their limited battery life.

Watch Elon Musk's SpaceX and T-Mobile Reveal Mobile Service For Areas with No Cell Coverage

Why are satellite phones illegal?

In some countries, possession of a satellite phone is illegal. Their signals will usually bypass local telecoms systems, hindering censorship and wiretapping attempts, which has led some intelligence agencies to believe that satellite phones aid terrorist activity.

Do satellite phones work when cell towers are down?

Satellite phones are very specialized radios that act as phones. They work even when cell towers go down, since they can get service directly from satellites. The subscription fees for satellite phones are much higher than for cell phones.

Is T-Mobile hooking up with Starlink?

In August 2022, Starlink operator SpaceX and T-Mobile announced a plan to deliver space-to-ground service to mobile phones in areas not covered by T-Mobile's cellular network. SpaceX said this week that the companies plan to start testing the satellite-to-cell service sometime this year.

How long will it take to get my Starlink?

How long you will wait on the Starlink waitlist depends on the capacity of the cell in which you live. Some customers wait weeks, others wait months. You can check to see if your address is waitlisted by using the Starlink availability map. The map also gives you an estimated wait time.

How long is Starlink going to take?

When will Starlink be available? Starlink satellite internet is currently available in parts of the US and Canada to people who live between 44 and 53 degrees latitude. Starlink plans to be available worldwide by the end of 2022.

How many devices can connect to Starlink?

How many devices can Starlink handle at one time? As standard, Starlink can support up to 200 devices but with ClubWiFi's network technology this can be considerably increased to up to 8000 devices securely on a public network.

Does Starlink work in bad weather?

What is this? Performance during rain is unrelated to the shape of your dish. Round and Square dishes perform equally during bad weather. The effect of weather is also felt more by Starlink RV and Starlink portability users as they get deprioritized during periods of congestion.

Is Starlink data unlimited?

While SpaceX still promises “unlimited data” for its users, its service now has two tiers: “Basic” and “Priority.” Users are automatically offered “Priority Access” with the fastest speeds, but will be downgraded to “Basic Access” after passing the new threshold.

Will Starlink go down in price?

Elon Musk's SpaceX rolled out price changes for residential Starlink customers, according to emails to customers reviewed by CNBC. Prices will rise for residential users of its satellite internet service in “limited capacity” areas but will fall for users in “excess capacity” areas, effective April 24.

How to get Starlink for free?

To sign up for free access, you need to fill out a form on the Starlink website. You will need to provide your name, address, and contact information. Once you have submitted the form, Starlink will review the request and determine if you are eligible for the offer.

Can you turn a cell phone into a satellite phone?

Powered by the Iridium® network, Iridium GO! connects to your iOS or Android cell phone, expanding your coverage area to…the entire planet. Iridium GO! is a small, lightweight, and rugged satellite communicator that overcomes the limits of cellular networks, letting you expand your adventures.

What are the disadvantages of Starlink?

What areas are Starlink available?

Currently, Starlink Residential services are most available in Northern U.S. states that border Canada, such as Washington, North Dakota, and Michigan, since this was the region SpaceX focused on during its beta testing of Starlink.

Will Starlink replace cell towers?

Don’t expect cell towers to come down any time soon

Even if satellite phones replaced cell phones in the future, Starlink still has thousands of satellites to get into orbit before it has the potential to begin offering a telephone service.

Can you use Starlink as Mobile internet?

The Standard Starlink is designed for portable use at any destination where Starlink has active coverage. With an easy setup and break down, Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet access within minutes, and packs up quickly when it's time to move to your next destination.

Do satellite phones have a monthly fee?

Monthly service is always recommended for satellite phones. Should I go with Inmarsat or Iridium service? It depends which satellite phone device you have or planning to buy. Inmarsat service plans are generally cheaper than Iridium, as well as the Inmarsat satellite phone device.

Does 911 work on a satellite phone?

From a Globalstar phone, simply dial: 911. From an Iridium phone, dial 112. This number will route your call to the emergency number for whatever country you are in.

How long do satellite phones last?

Most satellite phones will get about 30 to 40 hours of standby time and 4 to 8 hours of talk time.