Starlink/T-Mobile plan for satellite-to-phone service to get boost from FCC [telecom]

[Bill Horne]

Low-Earth orbit satellites to serve phones in remote areas without
cell coverage.

By Jon Brodkin

The Federal Communications Commission says it wants to help satellite
companies and mobile carriers partner up to close gaps in wireless
networks. In a 4-0 vote, the FCC yesterday proposed "a new regulatory
framework" designed to help satellite operators and wireless companies
"leverage the growth in space-based services to connect smartphone
users in remote, unserved, and underserved areas."

In August 2022, Starlink operator SpaceX and T-Mobile announced a plan
to deliver space-to-ground service to mobile phones in areas not
covered by T-Mobile's cellular network. SpaceX said this week that the
companies plan to start testing the satellite-to-cell service sometime
this year. Text messaging is expected to be the first supported
service, with voice and Internet coverage to be added later.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/03/fcc-aims-to-help-starlink-t-mobile-and-others-connect-satellites-to-smartphones/

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