Nowadays, living without internet is a reality that most people couldn’t live without. It seems like an exaggeration, but later we’ll see how it isn’t. That’s one of the reasons why Elon Musk created Starling, which is nothing more than a type of high-speed satellite internet provided by SpaceX. Now, Starlink is going to be available quickly and affordably. Starting this week, you can access the satellite connection on your mobile phone. The mobile phones that will be able to access it will be those launched after 2020, including iOS (Apple) and Android.
The mobile phones that will hace access will be some models from 2020
Starlink’s main objective is to provide internet connection in the most remote places on the planet. Those areas where it is practically impossible to have internet access. Now, mobile phones will be able to connect directly to the satellite signal without the need for intermediaries, i.e., towers or antennas. The mobile phones that will have access, for now, will be the iPhone models starting with the iPhone 14; the Samsung Galaxy A14, up to the A54 and the S21 up to the S25; Google Pixel 9 onwards; Galaxy Z Flip 3 up to the Z Flip 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold3 onwards; Motorola: Razr (2024), Razr Plus (2024), Moto Edge, Moto G Power 5G (2024).
What users are going to be able to do?
What users will be able to do is send and receive text messages (SMS) and share their location. This is a major advance because, although in wealthier countries, people are accustomed to constant communication, we mustn’t forget that there are areas of the world that are severely isolated. The idea is that, with the passage of time and the development of this technology, people will be able to start making calls and have access to more options through Starlink.
To activate the signal on your mobile phone, you don’t need to do anything. The antenna works by automatically searching for Starlink satellites in low orbit and connecting to them to receive satellite internet. In other words, the connection is automatic: when there’s no terrestrial coverage, the phone will connect to the satellite without the user having to take any action. This is especially useful for areas with poor coverage and areas without mobile fiber.
Some important facts to keep in mind
On the one hand, the cost of the service. At the moment, the giant led by Elon Musk has not commented on the matter; the service will be free. Users will be able to access it as if it were an extra from their telephone company. This is already the case in countries like the United States, Canada, and Japan. In order to implement Starlink in different countries around the world, Elon Musk’s company must sign an agreement with a mobile operator in that country. There is a map on the official Starlink website where you can see which countries already have the network available, which are in development, and which do not have access to it.
Spain and the entire European Union are within Starlink’s range, as are North America and most Central and South American countries. Among the places where it is not available are Cuba and Venezuela; in Asia, there is no news of its availability in China, Russia, Afghanistan, or Syria. Meanwhile, in Africa, it is already available in countries such as Zambia, Mozambique, the Congo, and Nigeria, among others. It is also available in Australia and New Zealand.
The breakthrough, without a doubt, is the ability to communicate without antennas. In the long term, the economic benefits for the company and Elon Musk’s conglomerate will be incalculable, but in terms of communication, it’s a clear step forward.
