Elon Musk says that Starlink, SpaceX’s subsidiary will provide emergency SOS satellite service for free worldwide. This groundbreaking initiation will bring connectivity to compatible phones when there is no cellular network available.
Sharing a post on his company X (Twitter), the billionaire entrepreneur, Musk tweeted that no one should be deprived of emergency services even if they haven’t subscribed to emergency SOS services.
Musk wrote, “After thinking it through, SpaceX Starlink will provide emergency services access for mobile phones for people in distress for free.” But while the idea is strikingly good, it will require “approval by country governments.”
The idea of providing commercial services for free emanates from his humanistic ethos. Musk concluded writing, “Can’t have a situation where someone dies because they forgot or were unable to pay for it.”
Emergency SOS services enable connectivity even in cellular dead zones meaning where mobile networks don’t exist. That is because the satellite powers this type of service. So, even in times of mobile network disruptions, users can send a text. The service has remarkably proved to be life-saving for a numerous situation already.
Imagine a situation where you can still connect to your family and friends on a mobile phone over satellite. Besides, you won’t have to spend money or buy any subscription for it. That could be Starlink’s drive. However, not many details are there yet. The company has made some progress with its commercial satellite services.
Check out: Kacific Satellite Internet Packages in Nepal
Fee Starlink Emergency SOS satellite service will be market-disrupting!
Elon Musk’s idea of providing free satellite connectivity is as much as enthralling as it sounds industry disrupting. SpaceX is itself a major commercial enterprise and Starlink being its satellite internet subsidiary also runs businesses commercially. However, providing such an exclusive service for free is an entirely revolutionary idea.
Of course, the service, as Musk says, will require individual government’s permission to get-go. But once enabled, users with satellite connectivity-compatible phones can connect to other users by satellite. So, when users are in a life-threatening situation or in need to send an urgent message, they can resort to emergency SOS service.
As of now, various smartphone manufacturers have collaborated with satellite service providers to bring emergency SOS services to their phones. Apple has partnered with Globalstar and Xiaomi with Tiantong. SpaceX itself is also heading its Direct-to-Cell service project with T-Mobile. But providing service for free is remarkable. SpaceX could even come into conflict with other market players if its plan starts to materialize.
Don’t miss: 5G vs Fiber: Find Out Which Is Better?
Availability
Elon Musk didn’t share information about the rollout plan for Starlink emergency SOS services. That could be because the service is subject to regulatory approvals in individual countries. To illustrate, satellite connectivity might come to countries where it has permission to operate. In Nepal’s case, SpaceX has sought approval from NTA, and hypothetically, the company could bring the service only after the government gives it a nod.
Already, a handful of devices support emergency SOS services. This includes Apple’s iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, etc. Contrary to expectations though, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra missed out on it. However, more premium phones will come with satellite communication features in the coming years.
It’s worth remembering that Starlink plans to provide text service in 2024, voice and data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) services in 2025.
Free satellite can bring a host of benefits to people, particularly those living in the mountains and hills. As traditional telco gears are hard to establish, wireless satellites could inspire life-changing scenarios with seamless communication services.
Let’s hope that this plan of Elon Musk goes ahead as wished. We will continue to update this page when further information becomes available.
