Summary
Let me summarize the key points from this Business Insider article:
1. Elon Musk announced that Starlink will offer free access to emergency services via cellphones for people stranded in wilderness areas.
2. This announcement comes as SpaceX, in partnership with T-Mobile, is seeking FCC approval for commercial operation of its direct-to-cellular Starlink technology.
3. SpaceX claims this service would provide supplemental cell coverage in mobile "dead zones" across the US.
4. AT&T and Verizon have expressed concerns about potential disruptions to their networks.
5. SpaceX has emphasized to the FCC that the service could connect first responders in various environments and send wireless emergency alerts to everyone in areas without earth-based cellular coverage.
6. Musk stated this free emergency service would be available worldwide, subject to approval by individual country governments.
7. The article draws a comparison to Apple's Emergency SOS service available on newer iPhone models.
8. An FCC commissioner, Brendan Carr, responded positively to the announcement, highlighting potential benefits for public safety communications and first responders.
This article provides additional context and details that align with the information from the ZeroHedge article. It's worth noting that as of August 2024, this service is still pending regulatory approval, and the exact implementation details are not yet clear. As always, it's a good idea to follow official channels and reputable news sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information on this developing story.
Elon Musk to Provide Free Starlink for Emergencies Worldwide – Vigilant News Network
This article originally appeared on ZeroHedge and was republished with permission.
Guest post by Tyler Durden
SpaceX’s Starlink “Direct to cell” service, in partnership with mobile carrier T-Mobile, will be offered free worldwide for connecting to emergency services.
“After thinking it through, SpaceX Starlink will provide emergency services access for mobile phones for people in distress for free,” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X, adding, “This applies worldwide, subject to approval by country governments. Can’t have a situation where someone dies because they forgot or were unable to pay for it.”
Musk’s comments come as SpaceX has asked the Federal Communications Commission to let it begin commercial operations of its “direct to cell” technology, as AT&T and Verizon have demanded the FCC terminate the request on the premise Starlink satellites will generate an abundance of radio interference.
Here’s how the direct to cell works:
Already tested.
“Specifically, AT&T’s technical analysis shows that SpaceX’s proposal would cause an 18% average reduction in network downlink throughput in an operational and representative AT&T PCS C Block market deployment,” the legacy mobile carriers told the FCC in a report earlier this month. SpaceX sent a letter to the FCC refuting AT&T and Verizon’s claims, adding the carriers are attempting to derail consumer access to Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology.
Weeks ago, we penned a note about the space race underway in low-earth orbit as AT&T and Verizon begin building satellite constellations via startup AST SpaceMobile.
GOP FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr chimed in on X: ” Direct-to-cell technology will really benefit public safety communications and first responders.”
Starlink appears to be locked in lawfare with legacy mobile carriers. The move to offer free emergency service acts as a kind gesture for humanity to secure FCC approval for commercialization.
If Musk’s companies can build cars and rocket ships, surely he can make a smartphone & eventually roll out Starlink as a mobile phone carrier for the masses. Hence, AT&T and Verizon fear this as they must pursue lawfare to stymie Starlink’s progress. This is also why Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin waged lawfare against SpaceX to prevent additional Starship launches.
Copyright 2024 ZeroHedge
Elon Musk says Starlink will let people stranded in the wilderness access emergency services on their phones for free
Elon Musk on Tuesday said SpaceX's Starlink, Musk's satellite internet service, would allow people stranded in the wilderness to access emergency services on their cellphones for free.
The SpaceX CEO made the comments in an X post as the company, in partnership with T-Mobile, currently seeks approval from the Federal Communications Commission to operate its direct-to-cellular Starlink technology commercially.
SpaceX says the satellite-based service would provide supplemental cell coverage to Americans from space that would close mobile "dead zones." Cellular service providers AT&T and Verizon have raised concerns about the technology, including that it would disrupt their own mobile networks.
In a letter to the FCC on Friday, SpaceX said the service would connect first responders in a variety of environments and would be able to send wireless emergency alerts to everyone — not just T-Mobile customers — in places where there is no earth-based cellular coverage.
The company urged the FCC to authorize it to operate the satellites commercially, "connecting Americans in places that have never had mobile service before."
In an X post on Tuesday, Musk emphasized the wireless emergency alert system and said it could "help a lot of people if they are stranded in the wilderness."
"After thinking it through, SpaceX Starlink will provide emergency services access for mobile phones for people in distress for free," Musk said in a follow up post. "This applies worldwide, subject to approval by country governments. Can't have a situation where someone dies because they forgot or were unable to pay for it."
It's unclear how exactly the emergency services would work. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Musk's post may have been aimed at appealing to the FCC as they consider approval of the direct-to-cellular service.
Brendan Carr, a Republican FCC commissioner, reacted positively to the announcement, responding in an X post: "Direct to cell technology will really benefit public safety communications and first responders."
The satellite-based emergency service could be similar to Apple's Emergency SOS service that's available on newer iPhones. The feature allows iPhones that are out of cellular range to request help from emergency services via satellite, among other features.
Apple's Emergency SOS feature is available on iPhone 14 and 15 models and is free for two years after activating the phone. The feature has been utilized around the world, including by hikers who were stranded in an Oregon forest and a couple who drove off a cliff in California.
No comments:
Post a Comment