SpaceX and T-Mobile partner on ‘satellite-to-cellular’ service

SpaceX is partnering with T-Mobile on an ambitious plan to offer “satellite-to-cellular” service.

Connectivity will be provided by SpaceX’s second-generation Starlink satellites in combination with T-Mobile’s mid-band 5G spectrum.

T-Mobile says the “vast majority” of existing smartphones will be compatible with the new service. If all goes to plan, customers should expect “near complete coverage” across the US, including territorial waters.

"Our...

26 August 2022 | 5G

US Air Force hands SpaceX $1.9M for battle-tested Starlink services

The US Air Force has awarded SpaceX with a $1.9 million contract for its now battle-tested Starlink satellite broadband services.

As part of the contract, the US Air Force will use Starlink to support operations at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. SpaceX will provide Starlink terminals and service access for both fixed sites and mobile users.

Starlink is currently designed for use at fixed sites. A new ‘Portability’ feature was launched earlier this year – for an...

17 August 2022 | Networks

SpaceX sends more Starlink terminals to Ukraine but experts warn of targeting

SpaceX is sending another batch of Starlink terminals to Ukraine but experts have warned about potential targeting.

Ukraine has suffered intermittent connectivity as it defends itself from Russia’s invasion of the country. Some of the outages have been the result of damage to telecoms infrastructure itself, while others due to wider power outages.

Within the past few hours, NetBlocks – which tracks network disruptions and shutdowns – posted a particularly...

7 March 2022 | Broadband

Ukraine is using Starlink to maintain global connectivity

Ukraine is successfully using SpaceX’s satellite broadband system Starlink to maintain global connectivity as it defends itself from Russia.

Following a request from Ukraine’s vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for assistance, a batch of Starlink stations was delivered to the country yesterday:

https://twitter.com/FedorovMykhailo/status/1498392515262746630

And, it seems, Ukrainians are having success with the system to ensure the...

1 March 2022 | Broadband

Apple’s new iPhones could feature emergency satellite communications

Apple is reportedly developing at least two features that will enable users to communicate using satellites in a rural emergency.

If you’re high up a mountain, or in the middle of the ocean or dense forest, the likelihood is you don’t have a cellular signal. However, there’s a good chance you’ll be in the range of several satellites—especially if 1,000+ launches per year becomes the new norm.

Cupertino has been exploring the use of satellite technology since at...

31 August 2021 | Networks

OneWeb sends a further 34 broadband satellites into orbit

OneWeb continues to gain momentum after sending a further 34 of its broadband satellites into orbit.

Arianespace launched the satellites from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on 21 August at 23:13 BST. The satellites were dispensed in nine batches over a period of three hours 45 minutes and successful contact was made with all satellites.

Neil Masterson, CEO of OneWeb, commented:

“Following the successful completion of our ‘Five to 50’ mission, we are building on...

23 August 2021 | Broadband

Ookla analysis finds Starlink faster than the UK’s fixed broadband

Ookla’s latest analysis finds that Starlink’s median download speed is much faster than the UK’s fixed broadband average.

The analysis uses Speedtest data from Q2 2021 and found the average Starlink download speed to be 108.30 Mbps, over double the UK’s fixed broadband average of 50.14 Mbps.

Starlink’s lead narrowed in upload speed where it posted an average of 15.64 Mbps, compared to the UK’s fixed broadband of 14.76 Mbps.

Unsurprisingly, Starlink...

4 August 2021 | Broadband

UK satellite firm OneWeb receives a $500M boost from Bharti

UK-based LEO (Low-Earth Orbit) satellite firm OneWeb is continuing a big news week with a $500 million investment from Bharti Global.

OneWeb received $1 billion from the UK Government and Bharti Global last year.

Rt. Hon Kwasi Kwarteng, MP, Secretary of State, BEIS, said:

“Today’s additional $500 million investment in OneWeb by Bharti marks yet another vote of confidence in the company from the market. It’s clear that investors see a strong future for...

30 June 2021 | Networks

BT signs agreement with UK-owned satellite operator OneWeb to improve rural connectivity

BT has signed an agreement with UK-owned low-earth orbit satellite operator OneWeb to explore how connectivity can be improved in some of the most difficult areas to reach.

OneWeb operates innovative LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites that provide high-speed, low latency connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities around the world. The company continues to go from strength-to-strength, despite OneWeb almost having to shutter its operations following the pulling of...

28 June 2021 | Operators

China proclaims 6G lead through its extensive patent portfolio

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) used state media this week to proclaim the country’s lead in the development of 6G.

CNIPA made the declaration on World Intellectual Property Day (April 26th) and pointed to its analysis of 6G-related patents which found – of 38,000 patents – around 35 percent (13,449) came from China.

The US took second place with 18 percent of patents relating to 6G.

In the report, CNIPA advises China to...

27 April 2021 | 6G