Good read. I didn’t understand the paragraph about DTC text messages in hurricane relief requiring hardware (and subscription). I know people that sent text messages during this time from their cell phone with no additional hardware. Can you explain that further?
I reread what I wrote, and agree that it is confusing. I should clarify:
- Direct to cell worked out okay for text messaging.
- They also offered Starlink ground terminal kits for free to provide connectivity to affected areas. But not everyone had the hardware needed for that.
This link should explain better what was offered by starlink:
- This debate feels like deja vu, and that thought sent me down a few rabbit holes - LightSquared/Ligado (L-band, concern of interference with GPS) among them.
- Very striking that VZ and T have agreed to provide 850 MHz - the original cellular band in the US - to ASTS - and 700 MHz.
Thanks for the link; FCC docs are a hard read, but I'll get to it. I saw the announcement about ASTS obtaining 850 MHz for operations; I believe the agreement is that they have to license it out to others.
With FCC docs, I read for the substance (what exactly is being ruled upon and in what way), and also to read for who provided what comment. Always fascinating to see those bread crumbs laid out.
Yeah I should have included EutelSat + OneWeb as part of the players here... considering that they launched the same day this piece was published. Oh well, maybe I'll edit it in.
Can antenna shaping help loosen the problem constraints by shaping the beam better or something. It’s hard to trust either the regulators or the 2 actors here. Incompetent conservatism vs bad faith type A vs bad faith type B.
Good read. I didn’t understand the paragraph about DTC text messages in hurricane relief requiring hardware (and subscription). I know people that sent text messages during this time from their cell phone with no additional hardware. Can you explain that further?
I reread what I wrote, and agree that it is confusing. I should clarify:
- Direct to cell worked out okay for text messaging.
- They also offered Starlink ground terminal kits for free to provide connectivity to affected areas. But not everyone had the hardware needed for that.
This link should explain better what was offered by starlink:
https://www.starlink.com/support/article/58126733-e4d2-db62-b919-9da261a4e096
Thank you for summarizing.
- This debate feels like deja vu, and that thought sent me down a few rabbit holes - LightSquared/Ligado (L-band, concern of interference with GPS) among them.
- Very striking that VZ and T have agreed to provide 850 MHz - the original cellular band in the US - to ASTS - and 700 MHz.
- This August 2024 Order & Authorization from the FCC Space Bureau was fascinating. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-756A1.pdf.
Thanks for the link; FCC docs are a hard read, but I'll get to it. I saw the announcement about ASTS obtaining 850 MHz for operations; I believe the agreement is that they have to license it out to others.
With FCC docs, I read for the substance (what exactly is being ruled upon and in what way), and also to read for who provided what comment. Always fascinating to see those bread crumbs laid out.
Why isnt one web part of this discussion?
Yeah I should have included EutelSat + OneWeb as part of the players here... considering that they launched the same day this piece was published. Oh well, maybe I'll edit it in.
Can antenna shaping help loosen the problem constraints by shaping the beam better or something. It’s hard to trust either the regulators or the 2 actors here. Incompetent conservatism vs bad faith type A vs bad faith type B.