SpaceX has requested radio frequencies for Starlink satellites so they can communicate directly by phone. Reported by Space News.
The satellites of the Starlink system are located in low orbits, which allows you to increase the connection speed and reduce the signal latency. In this way, Starlink Internet connection provides low ping regardless of the subscriber’s location, but you need a pizza box-sized subscriber terminal for it to work.
On December 6, SpaceX filed an application with the US Federal Communications Commission for permission to deploy cellular equipment directly on 2,000 Starlink gen 2 satellites. and SMS messages, as well as access to the Internet outside the coverage area of the base stations. “When fully deployed, this instrumentation will enable SpaceX to provide full and uninterrupted Earth coverage at latitudes +58° to -58° by mid-2024,” the company said.
So far we are only talking about business in the United States. Internet connection speeds are expected to be 18.3 Mbps from satellite to phone and 7.2 Mbps from phone to satellite.