SpaceX plans new 15,000 satellites for mobile communications from space
The planned takeover of Echostar satellite frequencies by SpaceX was recently announced. It is now clear what the Starlink operator intends to do with them.
(Image: SpaceX)
SpaceX is pursuing major plans for mobile phone connections from space in the USA. A few weeks after the planned takeover of satellite frequencies from Echostar was announced, Elon Musk's company submitted an application to the US telecommunications authority, FCC. In it, the operator of the Starlink satellite internet service requests permission to launch 15,000 satellites into space for direct-to-cell services.
SpaceX wants to use the frequency spectrum to enable voice and text transmissions, but also to offer broadband internet. The offer is primarily aimed at areas that are not covered by terrestrial services. People in these areas will be able to use a full 5G mobile connection provided by the satellites via smartphones. This should be able to offer a similar user experience to terrestrial LTE services.
Satellites to be launched into space by 2030
According to the application, SpaceX wants to deploy next-generation D2C satellites, which have 20 times the throughput capacity of the first generation. These are to be positioned at an altitude of 326 to 355 kilometers. The total of 15,000 satellites could provide D2C services for over one billion people. The company is aiming for a timeframe up to 2030 if approval is granted by the FCC by mid-2026. The company currently has over 650 direct-to-cell satellites in orbit.
Videos by heise
In this context, industry observers are wondering whether SpaceX will seek cooperation with other network operators, as is already the case with Starlink in the USA and T-Mobile. Or whether SpaceX might even launch its Starlink phone. Apple could play a major role in this. The iPhone manufacturer already offers satellite services for its smartphones and, most recently, the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Apple has entered into a partnership with Globalstar for these services.
Apple would first have to create the technical requirements in the iPhones to utilize the frequency spectrum newly acquired from SpaceX. However, some believe it is possible that Apple will even turn its back on Globalstar and join forces with SpaceX to utilize its services. If Apple and SpaceX do not agree on a cooperation, it could become more likely that SpaceX will go it alone.
Purchase price of 17 billion US dollars
The acquisition of the Echostar frequencies by SpaceX still has to be approved by the FCC. The buyer and seller have agreed a total sum of USD 17 billion for the blocks in the 2 gigahertz spectrum. Half of this transaction is to be paid in cash and the other half in SpaceX shares.
(mki)
