EarlierOnline statementIn 2017, the US telecom operator T-Mobile announced that it would cooperate with SpaceX's satellite network serviceStarlinkThrough the cooperation, T-Mobile will expand the coverage of its communication services through satellite networking in the future.
In addition to expanding T-Mobile's current service bandwidth with existing satellite networking resources, Starlink plans to embed signal transmission and reception functions corresponding to T-Mobile's mid-band PCS spectrum (1900MHz specification) into the new wave of low-orbit satellites it plans to launch next year, allowing smartphones on the ground to communicate directly via satellite.
At the same time, T-Mobile also revealed that this service will not charge extra fees, nor will it increase the price of existing plans. This means that users will be able to make calls, send text messages, or use Internet services directly through satellite networking without any obstacles.
As for network bandwidth, Starlink has already been able to deliver transmission speeds close to those of 4G or 5G networks. This, of course, will depend on the current user base. Therefore, it may depend on the future cooperation model between T-Mobile and SpaceX to expand Starlink's satellite Internet service to support the connection needs of T-Mobile's current user population after the merger with the original Sprint service.
This development seems to echo Apple's earlier confirmationAutumn launch event with the theme of "Far Out"The content to be announced soon will enable the new iPhone 14 to support satellite networking functions.
