Lynk Global, a Virginia-based startup, announced it would test experimental 5G transmission in December using its second commercial satellite. SpaceNews reported that the company would try sending a 5G signal from a satellite to standard mobile (terrestrial) devices.
SpaceX is slated to fly Lynk’s satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket as part of its Transporter 6 rideshare mission. Two additional satellites will also be part of the mission, giving Lynk four commercial satellites (all shaped like pizza boxes) in low Earth orbit.
SpaceNews reported that Lynk’s existing LEO satellite supports its mobile network operator partners’ 2G to 4G service. December’s mission will enable 5G in the future, with Lynk’s CEO Charles Miller estimating upgrades will begin in 2025, when the startup can provide “continuous” voice and broadband data services from orbit. Miller said the transition from 4G to 5G is up to its MNOs, though.
“Lynk is years ahead of everyone else in enabling MNOs to extend their cellular networks to 100 percent of their geographic territories,” added Dan Dooley, Lynk’s chief commercial officer. “We will be years ahead in 5G as well.”
Lynk has plans to operate more than 50 satellites before the end of 2023, which it says would enable users to send and receive text messages every 15-30 minutes. The company is testing services in 12 countries across five continents, reported SpaceNews.
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