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

FCC rejects Starlink’s bid for RDOF cash

The FCC has rejected Starlink’s bid for a share of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF).

“After careful legal, technical, and policy review, we are rejecting these applications.  Consumers deserve reliable and affordable high-speed broadband,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.

“We must put scarce universal service dollars to their best possible use as we move into a digital future that demands ever more powerful and faster networks.  We cannot afford to...

11 August 2022 | Broadband

FCC grants SpaceX clearance to provide moving vehicle connectivity

The FCC has granted SpaceX provisional clearance to provide its Starlink satellite connectivity to moving vehicles.

Starlink has been delivering impressive broadband speeds to static ground terminals for some time, including in Ukraine.

SpaceX hasn’t been officially authorised to provide connectivity to vehicles while they’re moving. However, that’s not stopped some people:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PDVURcvWeg

SpaceX hasn’t been shy about...

1 July 2022 | Networks

OneWeb turns to SpaceX for satellite launches after Roscosmos snub

OneWeb is turning to rival SpaceX to launch its LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites after Russian space agency Roscosmos snubbed the British firm.

A rocket carrying 36 of OneWeb’s satellites was due to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome earlier this month.

In the fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Roscosmos refused to launch the satellites unless OneWeb accepted two demands—for the British government to sell its stake in the firm, and to guarantee they will not...

22 March 2022 | Broadband

Ookla finds Starlink now averages over 100 Mbps

Research from Ookla finds that Starlink now averages over 100 Mbps in 15 countries.

The results, from Q4 2021, suggests that SpaceX’s satellite system continues to beat median fixed broadband speeds in most locations:

StarlinkFixed BroadbandAustralia141.5551.35Austria131.8450.33Belgium155.1576.94Canada106.6496.39Chile118.95168.92France102.1575.47Germany115.5865.86Ireland123.5165.89Italy124.3949.56Mexico141.9436.56Netherlands138.4095.55New...

17 March 2022 | Broadband

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

FCC allocates spectrum for US commercial space industry, including today’s Crew-2 launch

The FCC has allocated spectrum to support the growing number of US commercial space launches, including today’s Crew-2 mission.

SpaceX’s Crew-2 launch will send four astronauts – National Aeronautical Space Administration’s Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbrough, Akihiko Hoshide from the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Thomas Pesquet from the European Space Agency – into orbit.

Weather-permitting, the launch is scheduled for 10.49am BST (5.49am EDT) at...

23 April 2021 | Legislation & Government

SpaceX’s fourth Starlink launch in under a month deploys another 60 satellites

SpaceX has successfully completed its fourth Starlink mission in under a month, adding a further 60 satellites to its constellation.

The latest batch of SpaceX’s broadband satellites brings the total launched this month to an incredible 240.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1374655811146768386

As usual, SpaceX used its Falcon-9 rocket for the mission. What’s particularly impressive about this launch is the flight-prove booster served on five previous...

24 March 2021 | Networks