SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced in a tweet on the evening of August 25th that the second-generation Starlink low-orbit satellites launched next year will be able to transmit directly to mobile phones with T-Mobile 5G, thereby eliminating global communication dead spots.
“The Verge” reported that Musk announced at an event co-hosted by T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert on the 25th that the second-generation Starlink satellites equipped with super-large antennas will be launched on the SpaceX Starship space launch vehicle which can utilize some of T-Mobile’s 5G mid-band spectrum.
These new services mean that even in remote areas without base stations, users can send multimedia text messages and even use certain instant messaging software as long as they have a clear view of the sky. If there aren’t many people in the area, Musk said, video could even be used.
“GeekWire” reported on the 25th that the beta version of Starlink’s broadband upgrade service will be launched in specific regions at the end of next year. Initially, it only supports SMS sending and receiving and instant messaging software, and then voice and data services will be launched.
Most of the smartphones T-Mobile currently supports will be compatible with the new satellite-plus-cellular network service, and T-Mobile’s most popular mobile service plan is expected to offer Starlink satellite service for free, Sievert said.
Baron: SpaceX’s valuation is expected to catch up with Tesla
Market Insider reported that Baron Capital CEO Ron Baron revealed in an exclusive interview with CNBC on the 25th that he had increased his investment in SpaceX.
Baron Capital invested $380 million in Tesla Inc. shares in 2014, and Baron estimates the investment made about $6 billion to $7 billion. He also said that Tesla will become the world’s largest company in 10 years, but will face the challenge of SpaceX in the next 10 years.
Ron Baron told CNBC in 2016 that he believes he can get 30-50 times the return on investment from Tesla in 15 years.
CNBC reported in October last year that Morgan Stanley released a report that 63% of 32 interviewed clients (including institutional investors and industry experts) believed that SpaceX’s valuation and importance will eventually surpass Tesla’s .
The Hill reported that Morgan Stanley noted in October that a client said the space business was being discussed before the SpaceX Starship space launch vehicle, just as it was before Google was talking about the Internet.
