T-Mobile and SpaceX successfuly test sending and receiving texts via satellites،
Using T-Mobile's network, SpaceX successfully sent text messages via Starlink satellites. It was only last week that Elon Musk's SpaceX launched the first six Starlink satellites equipped with direct-to-device, or D2D, capabilities. The FCC gave SpaceX the green light last month to test this technology.
D2D connects smartphones to satellites. By CNBCLast Monday, SpaceX said it had “sent and received our first text messages to and from unmodified cell phones on the ground to our new satellites in space.” SpaceX said the test “validates” that “the system works.” SpaceX hopes to begin offering D2D text service this year and will eventually add features such as voice service, data service and Internet of Things services in 2025. The Starlink Internet service relies on 5,000 satellites in orbit covering 2,000 satellites. 3 million customers worldwide.
SpaceX claims that “there is incredible demand and great interest” in enabling the Starlink satellite to add D2D capabilities. In addition T Mobile, other wireless service providers partnering with SpaceX include Canada's Rogers, Australia's Optus and Japan's KDDI. Other partnerships have been developed between smartphone manufacturers, wireless service providers and satellite companies. A good example of this is the Apple-Globalstar team offering emergency SOS via satellite on the iPhone 14 range and iPhone 15 series.
The iPhone system allows a user who finds themselves in an emergency situation in an area without cellular service to send an emergency text message via satellite to first responders who send help to the location. the iPhone user. This feature has already saved lives.
One partnership that failed was that between chipmaker Qualcomm and Iridium. Called Snapdragon Satellite, the service was supposed to be used on Android handsets to provide emergency services via satellites. But no Android phone maker has decided to add Snapdragon Satellite to its handsets and the partnership has officially endedon December 3.
Earlier this month, when SpaceX launched the first Starlink satellites with D2D, T Mobile President of Marketing, Strategy and Product Mike Katz said: “Our mission is to be the best in the world at connecting customers to their world and today is another step forward in keeping our customers connected, even in the most remote locations. peace of mind when they need it most. Today's launch is a pivotal moment for this groundbreaking alliance with SpaceX and our global partners around the world, as we strive to make dead zones a thing of the past.
