iPhone and Android users will soon be able to make calls from even the most remote areas using Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites. Thanks to this innovative technology, users will gain connectivity through a vast network of satellites orbiting the Earth, eliminating the need for proximity to traditional cell towers.
Unlike traditional satellite phones, which require costly hardware, Starlink’s system will allow people to use their regular smartphones, marking a significant advancement in global communication. The breakthrough follows the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granting SpaceX approval in November to enable T-Mobile users in the U.S. to stay connected in areas with no cellular coverage, or “dead zones.” Further testing has shown the technology is also compatible with phones from Apple, Samsung, and Google, and it is expected to work with older devices as well.
Starlink’s low-orbit satellite system, positioned approximately 550 kilometers above the Earth, contrasts with traditional geostationary satellites that orbit much farther away at 35,786 kilometers. This closer proximity results in lower latency, making tasks like streaming data on phones and computers feasible. Starlink has already proven valuable in remote regions and emergency scenarios, such as aiding Ukrainian soldiers in operating drones during the conflict with Russia.
However, the deployment of Starlink satellites has raised concerns among astronomers. The emissions from these satellites are reportedly interfering with radio telescopes, making it harder to observe the universe. Professor Jessica Dempsey, director of ASTRON in the Netherlands, expressed concern, stating, “With every new satellite launch, we lose more of the sky.”
