Elon Musk aims to change how we connect to the internet with Starlink. This service, launched a few years back, offers an accessible internet option for underserved regions via satellites orbiting Earth. However, the term “easy” here is relative because it still requires antennas and some equipment to transmit the incoming signal to your devices. Fortunately, this situation is changing because Starlink is launching the first ‘cellphone towers in space’ designed for use with smartphones.

Elon Musk’s Starlink and the Future of Internet Access

SpaceX (which at this point operates as a taxi service between space and Earth) announced the the launch of 21 new Starlink satellites. Of course, this news isn’t too surprising, considering both companies are owned by Elon Musk, and this is essentially what allowed Starlink to exist in the first place. However, six of these new satellites serve a rather unique purpose “to destroy major mobile network companies”.

Actually, these are the initial steps of Elon Musk’s ambitious project, which is currently in the testing phase. Satellites capable of reaching a maximum speed of 7 Mbps will likely serve in specific regions like North America and be used for tasks requiring low internet speeds, such as transmitting text messages. However, if you recall, Musk initially announced Starlink in 2019 promising affordable unlimited internet, unlimited phone calls, and unlimited internet access. Therefore, it’s possible that this will evolve significantly in the future.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk mentioned that the satellites would enable mobile phone connectivity globally. However, he pointed out a substantial bandwidth limitation, stating, “This only supports around 7Mb per beam, and the beams are quite large.” Musk clarified that although this offers an excellent solution for areas without cellular service, it doesn’t significantly compete with current land-based cellular networks.

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