At the end of each year I have been reviewing the available Satellite Communicators that are generally available to consumers.
Garmin's InReach, Zoleo, Bivystick and SPOT are perennial products. They all allow simple texting and GPS location. InReach has a new model that allows transmitting images in modest resolutions. All are slow. They can take a few minutes to transmit a message up or down and can be used for emergency location transmission.
The above brands use one of 2 services, with most using Iridium's global service while SPOT uses its proprietary Global Star network, which is also used by Apple iPhones for their emergency service. Apple has been investing in the Global Star network and launching satellites in hopes of direct to satellite communications.
Starlink may have just blown all of these products up? Musk's new company, called Starlink Mobile, is planning to use the Starlink satellite network AND terrestrial based networks, to allow cellphones to operate globally. Why use a slow to use, expensive dedicated device, when you can simply call for help from your cell phone?
www.zerohedge.com
Garmin's InReach, Zoleo, Bivystick and SPOT are perennial products. They all allow simple texting and GPS location. InReach has a new model that allows transmitting images in modest resolutions. All are slow. They can take a few minutes to transmit a message up or down and can be used for emergency location transmission.
The above brands use one of 2 services, with most using Iridium's global service while SPOT uses its proprietary Global Star network, which is also used by Apple iPhones for their emergency service. Apple has been investing in the Global Star network and launching satellites in hopes of direct to satellite communications.
Starlink may have just blown all of these products up? Musk's new company, called Starlink Mobile, is planning to use the Starlink satellite network AND terrestrial based networks, to allow cellphones to operate globally. Why use a slow to use, expensive dedicated device, when you can simply call for help from your cell phone?
SpaceX Trademark Filing Signals "Starlink Mobile" May Soon Take Aim At AT&T, Verizon | ZeroHedge
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www.zerohedge.com
SpaceX Trademark Filing Signals "Starlink Mobile" May Soon Take Aim At AT&T, Verizon
SpaceX has taken one step toward becoming a direct competitor to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Its Starlink subsidiary quietly filed to register the "Starlink Mobile" trademark on Oct. 16, signaling plans to enter the wireless carrier business.
For context, Elon Musk spoke at the All-In Summit in early September and made it clear he wants to morph Starlink into a global mobile wireless carrier that leverages both satellites and ground-based spectrum.
All-In's Chamath Palihapitiya asked Musk: "Elon, is your vision that instead of having an AT&T account and then roaming when you're in the UK or India, we could have one direct deal with Starlink that works all over the world? Maybe not today, but eventually — is that the end goal?"
Musk responded: "Yes."
On Oct. 16, Starlink filed to trademark "Starlink Mobile." One X user spotted the application in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) records:
Starlink's USPTO filing describes the service as: "Satellite communication and transmission services; transmission of data, voice, image and video via satellite; collecting and transmitting real-time data and images obtained via satellites; telecommunications services, namely, cellular personal communication services."
Already...
Back at the All-In Summit, David Friedberg asked Musk: "Could you buy some carriers to acquire more spectrum? Maybe buy Verizon?"
Musk replied: "Not out of the question. I suppose that may happen."
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