Elon Musk’s Announcement Of Free Satellite Calling Service On All Phones Billionaire entrepreneur and SpaceX owner Elon Musk has announced a free cellular Starlink service for all mobile users. While replying to an X post on Wednesday, Musk promised to provide free cellular Starlink service for mobile phones in case of emergency.
An X user mentioned the letter sent by Starlink to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Available on T-Mobile, iPhone 14 and later models, Huawei Mate 60 Pro, and other phones with satellite connectivity service.
This service is not available for mobile users other than some limited company users. The intention of those users was that they needed satellite connectivity in case of emergency in places where cellular towers are not available. While replying to that post, Musk said that the satellite call service would help many people. Giving another reply, Musk announced that this feature would be provided for free.
SpaceX sent a letter to the FCC on August 23 asking it to allow commercial operation of its “direct to sell” Starlink technology. After Starlink sent the letter, competing carriers, including AT&T and Verizon, are protesting it.
In the letter sent by SpaceX to the FCC, Starlink technology is promised to benefit all consumers. According to Musk, this technology will help to send emergency messages to all wireless users in areas where mobile service is not available.
So far, Musk has not provided more details on the matter. But this service is likely to be similar to Apple’s emergency SOS connectivity via satellite feature. This feature is available for free on iPhone 14 and later phones. SpaceX is working with T-Mobile to get approval from the FCC to launch a cellular Starlink system. Therefore, it can be assumed that Musk’s post is probably intended to put pressure on the American regulator.
In the same post thread, GOP FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said, “Direct-to-sell technology will truly benefit public safety communications and first responders.”
However, AT&T and Verizon have expressed concern that cellular Starlink satellites will cause too much radio interference. Therefore, they have continuously demanded that the FCC reject Starlink’s request.
