Answer
Oct 30, 2022 - 05:28 AM
The short answer is no. The T-Mobile/Starlink partnership was an announcement intended to predate the Apple SOS satellite announcement. But neither of these two satellite-to-mobile endeavors is anywhere close to replicating the service that a user will get from a cellular network. And based upon discussions we have had with a satellite expert- won't be for a decade or more. (and that's to replicate today's cellular network service)
Satellite to mobile may eventually provide passable voice and data services, especially where packets don't need to arrive quickly. The premise that the satellite network could be scaled up enough to provide similar services to 50-100M subscribers is faulty.
Satellites may replace the need for new rural towers in very rural areas for small numbers of subscribers. But in the interest of ABC (Always Best Connected) - most subscribers will prefer cellular when they have access to it. And that means towers are here to stay.
Worse case, there may be some erosion on expensive to operate rural towers.
Satellite to mobile may eventually provide passable voice and data services, especially where packets don't need to arrive quickly. The premise that the satellite network could be scaled up enough to provide similar services to 50-100M subscribers is faulty.
Satellites may replace the need for new rural towers in very rural areas for small numbers of subscribers. But in the interest of ABC (Always Best Connected) - most subscribers will prefer cellular when they have access to it. And that means towers are here to stay.
Worse case, there may be some erosion on expensive to operate rural towers.
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