Starlink goes mobile, just not in your car

© iStock.

Last Friday, SpaceX applied for permission with the Federal Communications Commission to deploy Starlink satellite broadband in moving vehicles such as ships, trucks or airplanes. But if you think you’re getting internet in your Tesla via Starlink, you might want to adjust your expectations: the equipment is too bulky for a standard car. The technology will however be useful to many, such as sailors at sea who are cut off from the world because ships’ current satellite-access solutions are too expensive, inefficient, and reserved for short and essential communications (which precludes playing Fortnite). Though Starlink home internet service can be set up by users, this will not be the case for moving vehicles. SpaceX said that it “will ensure installation of ESIM terminals on vehicles and vessels by qualified installers who have an understanding of the antenna’s radiation environment and the measures best suited to maximize protection of the general public and persons operating the vehicle and equipment.” The terminals will transmit in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band and receive in the 10.7-12.7 GHz band, and comply with spectrum sharing rules to avoid interference with other users. No availability date has been announced, but we imagine that if Starlink has made an official application with US authorities, the technology is ready.

⇨ Ars Technica, Jon Brodkin, “SpaceX plans Starlink broadband for trucks, ships, and planes.”

2021-03-08