Air France has teamed up with Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, to offer high-speed VoIP-enabled WiFi onboard its fleet by 2025. This new technology aims to provide passengers with seamless connectivity, allowing multiple devices to connect simultaneously.
Starlink has expanded its satellite backhaul services to over 100 rural base stations of Africa Mobile Networks in Nigeria, enhancing connectivity in remote areas. Since their 2023 agreement, traffic surged 45% across connected sites. Leveraging Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, AMN effectively boosts base station capacity, transforming local communities with improved mobile access.
The FCC approved SpaceX to replace its aging Starlink satellites with advanced second-gen models. The number of Australians using FWA for home broadband nearly doubled. Hiya’s report found nearly 20 billion spam calls globally. The UK CMA has paused its app store investigations into Apple and Google.
Indonesia is poised to welcome SpaceX’s Starlink LEO satellite broadband service within the next two weeks, announced Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the coordinating minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment. According to government sources, Starlink has secured the necessary agreement and license from Indonesian authorities to commence satellite internet operations.
Singtel ramps up its maritime digital services by integrating the innovative satellite technology from Starlink. This breakthrough aims to inspire ship operators into adopting digital solutions such as AI, 5G, edge computing, and cloud-based technologies for improved operational efficiency and safety measures. Starlink, a first-of-its-kind low Earth orbit broadband service included in Singtel’s comprehensive iSHIP offerings, offers enhanced connectivity and reduced latency.
In a strategic move to gain a foothold in India’s expanding telecommunications market, Elon Musk’s satellite communications constellation, Starlink, is reportedly considering a stake in Vodafone Idea (Vi). As of 2024, Starlink boasts a constellation of over 5,500 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, providing commercial services in more than 60 countries to approximately 1.5 million subscribers.
SpaceX’s Starlink project faced a setback this week as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 to maintain its decision to deny funding from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). The initial award in late 2020 aimed to extend broadband coverage to nearly 643,000 premises in 35 states.
The FCC recently reiterated its denial of Starlink’s bid to gain nearly $900M in support from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund program. Despite Starlink’s impressive technology, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel questioned the wisdom in subsidizing the still evolving tech until 2032. Starlink had initially received the lofty sum in a 2020 auction but was later deemed inadequate in verifying its capabilities.
SpaceX’s Starlink is paving the way for direct-to-mobile services, thanks to a progressive partnership with T-Mobile. Going beyond termianls, the ambitious endeavor could allow unmodified smartphones to directly connect with satellites. Beginning with text messaging in 2024, comprehensive voice and data services are slated to follow in 2025. However, AT&T and the Rural Wireless Association express concerns about possible interference with commercial networks, prompting fierce debate over the fine lines of regulatory procedures.
Intriguingly, SpaceX’s Starlink offers an innovative Direct to Cell feature allowing existing LTE phones to function even in remote locations – a potential boon for those often out of terrestrial coverage. With a rollout plan targeting texts by 2024, and full voice, data, and IoT compatibility by 2025, Starlink seems poised for a breakthrough. While the proposition seems formidable, concerns around possible limitations of Starlink’s proprietary technology remind us advantages of relying on industry best practices. Without disclosed pricing details, we can only anticipate how this venture will fare against other satellite connectivity contenders.
