Starlink now allows for the procurement of light mobile phones through a frequency transaction
In a groundbreaking announcement made in Los Angeles, Elon Musk's satellite service, Starlink, revealed its plans to provide internet directly to smartphones from space. The company is set to achieve this through a multi-billion-dollar deal with satellite company Echostar, acquiring the necessary radio frequencies for this innovative venture.
The radio frequencies being added to Starlink's newer satellites will enable fast internet connectivity, allowing the service to reach smartphones with its signal without the need for additional ground equipment. This is a significant step forward for Starlink, as it has been working with traditional mobile network providers due to a lack of frequency rights so far.
The acquisition of these radio frequencies by SpaceX, the operating company for Starlink, marks a turning point in the company's mission to revolutionise global internet access. The approximate cost of the deal is $17 billion.
It's important to note that this deal is separate from the sale of frequency rights by Echostar to AT&T for $25 billion. The FCC investigation of Echostar, which is not related to the announcement of Starlink's plans, is also a separate matter.
Echostar has not been actively using the satellite and mobile frequencies that SpaceX claims it has been sitting on. This has led to pressure from investigations by the US telecommunications regulator FCC, due to complaints from SpaceX.
Since last year, Starlink has been launching satellites into space, and with this deal, it is one step closer to realising its vision of providing affordable, high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas around the world.
This development in space-based internet technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we access the internet, making it faster, more reliable, and available to more people than ever before. As Starlink continues to grow and expand, we can expect to see more exciting advancements in this field.
