Could Starlink, the SpaceX satellite broadband delivery system, operate in conjunction with moving vehicles? ArsTechnica reports that CEO Elon Musk was asked this question. Musk responded on Twitter Friday that current limitations would preclude passenger cars, saying, “our terminal is much too big. This is for aircraft, ships, large trucks & RVs.”
SpaceX asked the Commission for authority to deploy and operate its “Earth Stations in Motion … throughout the United States and its territories… in the territorial waters of the United States and throughout international waters worldwide, and… on U.S.-registered aircraft operating worldwide and non-U.S.-registered aircraft operating in U.S. airspace.”
While Starlink home users would set up their own connections, a unit attached to a moving receiver is different, according to experts. Placing a unit in a location like a ship’s mast would be a relatively easy matter, but working it into the design of a car is largely speculative, reports ArsTechnica.
Industry observers noted that Tesla, being a high tech vehicle, could be a candidate for such a unit. “With Starlink’s capability to connect to the internet in a moving vehicle,” noted Teslarati, “Tesla would no longer have to rely on existing mobile internet providers for its cars.”
SpaceX has asked the FCC to increase its number of approved terminals from 1 million to 5 million as it continues to expand operations. SpaceX is already receiving opposition from companies like DISH Network, Inside Towers reported. DISH claims SpaceX will interfere with 5G mobile services and satellite TV programming that may be eventually allowed in the 12 GHz range. Musk’s ESIMs will operate in 14.0-14.5 GHz band and receive in the 10.7-12.7 GHz band.
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