The American cellular operator T-Mobile, together with SpaceX, successfully tested the emergency notification system for citizens via Starlink satellites. This is the first time such a message has been sent to the United States. The new technology is important because it will allow people to receive important information even outside the range of the cellular network in emergency situations.
Image source: T-Mobile
T-Mobile has initiated a test conditional evacuation alert. The alert was sent 217 miles (350 km) into space, where it was received by one of the more than 175 Direct-to-Cell Starlink satellites that are currently in low Earth orbit and essentially function as cell phone towers in space , reports The Verge. The alert was then transmitted to a specific geographic area and received by a T-Mobile smartphone. According to the company, it took “just a few seconds” to send and deliver the message via satellite.
The company announced plans to launch a service that allows T-Mobile subscribers to send messages, make calls and use mobile Internet via Starlink satellites back in 2022. The launch of the ability to send SMS messages via satellite is planned for this year. Voice and data communications will become available at a later date. “In the coming years,” T-Mobile previously clarified. However, before launching the service for all subscribers, beta testing is planned. This was reported on the T-Mobile blog.
It’s worth noting that T-Mobile isn’t the only carrier working on bringing satellite connectivity to mainstream smartphones. AT&T and Verizon are developing similar projects. Apple and Google also offer similar satellite services for iPhone and Pixel smartphones.