(Photo by Richard Bord/WireImage via Getty)
Elon Musk says SpaceX’s Starlink system for mobile phones won’t cost users a dime when it comes to connecting to emergency services.
“Can’t have a situation where someone dies because they forgot or were unable to pay for it,” the SpaceX CEO said in a tweet on Tuesday.
The tweet arrives as SpaceX is urging the Federal Communications Commission to let it commercially operate its “direct to cell” Starlink technology amid opposition from rival carriers, including AT&T and Verizon.
Last Friday, SpaceX told the FCC the Starlink technology promises to benefit all consumers since it’ll provide a way for the US to send emergency alerts to all wireless users in cellular dead zones—even though they haven’t signed up for the service. That’s because the cellular Starlink technology will use orbiting satellites to beam cellular and internet connectivity to users on the ground.
On Tuesday, Musk chimed in on Twitter, writing, “This could help a lot of people if they are stranded in the wilderness.”
In a follow-up tweet, he added: “After thinking it through, SpaceX Starlink will provide emergency services access for mobile phones for people in distress for free. This applies worldwide, subject to approval by country governments.”
So far, Musk hasn’t provided more details. But the resulting service promises to be similar to Apple’s Emergency SOS feature for iPhones, which is also currently free for the iPhone 14 and up. In Apple’s case, the satellite service has saved lives for people in remote areas without traditional cell access.
As for SpaceX, the company has been trying to secure FCC approval so that it can launch the cellular Starlink system with T-Mobile later this fall. Hence, Musk’s tweet was probably aimed at pressuring the US regulator. In the same tweet thread, GOP FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr posted: “Direct to cell technology will really benefit public safety communications and first responders.”
Still, SpaceX also requests the FCC issue a waiver allowing the company to operate the cellular Starlink satellites beyond the normal radio frequency parameters. SpaceX says it needs the waiver to ensure robust coverage and fast speeds. However, AT&T and Verizon have demanded the FCC shoot down the request over concerns the cellular Starlink satellites will generate too much radio interference.
“Specifically, AT&T’s technical analysis shows that SpaceX’s proposal would cause an 18% average reduction in network downlink throughput in an operational and representative AT&T PCS C Block market deployment,” the carrier told the FCC earlier this month. In response, SpaceX sent its own letter to the FCC, rebutting the arguments while claiming AT&T and Verizon are trying to derail consumer access to the Starlink technology.
The cellular Starlink system is also bound to compete with AT&T's and Verizon's own satellite internet system for phones, which will arrive through startup AST SpaceMobile.