Comment on Elon Musk says Starlink will let people stranded in the wilderness access emergency services on their phones for free

Elon Musk says Starlink will let people stranded in the wilderness access emergency services on their phones for free

Elon Musk said Starlink's satellite-based emergency service would help people in distress worldwide.Marc Piasecki/Getty ImagesElon Musk said SpaceX's Starlink will offer free emergency services access to cellphones.The claim came as SpaceX seeks FCC approval for its direct-to-cellular Starlink technology.SpaceX told the FCC Friday the technology would enable sending emergency alerts to all cellphones.Elon Musk on Tuesday said SpaceX's Starlink, Musk's satellite internet service, would allow people stranded in the wilderness to access emergency services on their cellphones for free.The SpaceX CEO made the comments in an X post as the company, in partnership with T-Mobile, currently seeks approval from the Federal Communications Commission to operate its direct-to-cellular Starlink technology commercially.SpaceX says the satellite-based service would provide supplemental cell coverage to Americans from space that would close mobile "dead zones." Cellular service providers AT&T and Verizon have raised concerns about the technology, including that it would disrupt their own mobile networks.In a letter to the FCC on Friday, SpaceX said the service would connect first responders in a variety of environments and would be able to send wireless emergency alerts to everyone — not just T-Mobile customers — in places where there is no earth-based cellular coverage.The company urged the FCC to authorize it to operate the satellites commercially, "connecting Americans in places that have never had mobile service before."In an X post on Tuesday, Musk emphasized the wireless emergency alert system and said it could "help a lot of people if they are stranded in the wilderness.""After thinking it through, SpaceX Starlink will provide emergency services access for mobile phones for people in distress for free," Musk said in a follow up post.

 

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