Elon Musk’s SpaceX has successfully launched six Starlink satellites, showcasing a groundbreaking technology that enables the delivery of phone signals directly from space to mobile devices. The innovation promises seamless global access to texting, calling, and browsing without requiring any changes to existing hardware or firmware.
These Starlink satellites feature advanced eNodeB modems crucial for delivering LTE connectivity, commonly known as 4G, a wireless broadband communication standard for mobile devices. Unlike traditional cell phone towers, these satellites act as base stations, managing the interface with mobile devices and eliminating the need for a cellphone operator to connect with smartphones. This capability allows them to directly send signals to unmodified cell phones.
Starlink’s goal is not to directly compete with existing network providers. Instead, the company aims to collaborate with them, offering services to fill coverage gaps in remote areas where traditional cell towers are absent or signals are weak. Despite its potential, the network’s speeds are currently not as competitive as terrestrial networks. Elon Musk mentioned in a tweet that the network provides only 7Mbps per beam, significantly slower than standard cell phone networks. For instance, according to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, Indian networks boast an average mobile data speed of 94.62Mbps.
While the Starlink technology is a boon for remote areas with limited network coverage, it may not compete meaningfully with existing network providers in terms of speed. The company plans to conduct tests with T-Mobile and gradually expand its services worldwide.
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