Elon Musk's SpaceX to end cellphone 'dead zones' and 'save lives' with T-Mobile link up

New service will utilise network of thousands of Starlink satellites in Earth's orbit

SpaceX chief engineer Elon Musk raises his phone during a joint news conference with T-Mobile chief executive Mike Sievert at the SpaceX Starbase, in Brownsville, Texas, US. Reuters

Elon Musk's SpaceX satellites will connect directly to T-Mobile cellphones to provide service access even in the most remote places beyond the reach of cell towers from next year, the two companies announced.

The new service, which will work on existing cellphones and utilise SpaceX's network of thousands of Starlink satellites in Earth's orbit, will begin offering text messaging services from late 2023, with voice calls and data services expected to follow later.

"The important thing about this is that it means there's no dead zones anywhere in the world for your cell phone," said Mr Musk, in an announcement event held at SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas.

Mr Musk said the service will save lives, giving the example of hikers who get lost and are currently unable to call for help.

"We will no longer read about these tragedies that happened where people get lost and if only they could have called for help they would be OK."

Though satellite internet has existed for years, users currently require specialised hardware, such as Starlink terminals.

"This won't have the kind of bandwidth that a Starlink terminal would have, but it will enable texting, it will enable images, and - if there aren't too many people in the cell zone - you can even potentially have a little bit of video," said Mr Musk.

T-Mobile chief executive Mike Sievert said he expects the new service to be free of charge on most cellphone plans, although there could be a fee for users on low-cost packages.

"It's a lot like putting a cellular tower in the sky. Just a lot harder," he said.

Competition in the satellite internet market is rapidly intensifying.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos recently announced he intended to launch some 3,200 satellites.

Public institutions are also looking to get in on the act.

China has a plan to launch a constellation of 13,000 satellites called Guowang and the European Union wants to deploy roughly 250 by 2024.

While next year's beta test launch will be restricted to the United States, Mr Sievert said his company expects to expand to overseas markets with reciprocal roaming deals.

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Elon Musk in 2022 - in pictures

Tesla chief Elon Musk and his children Damian, Kai, Saxon and Griffin meet Pope Francis in July at the Vatican. AFP

Mr Musk speaks by video in June to the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha. Bloomberg

Mr Musk answers questions at the Qatar Economic Forum. Bloomberg

Mr Musk arrives at the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in May. Reuters

Mr Musk and his mother Maye Musk arrive at the Met Gala in May. AFP

The Musks pose and laugh on the Met Gala red carpet. EPA

Mr Musk waves at the Met Gala. Reuters

Mr Musk joins in online at the 'Financial Times' Future of the Car Summit in May. Financial Times

Mr Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, in March. Reuters

Mr Musk at the Tesla factory in Berlin, Germany, in March. AP

Mr Musk speaks at SpaceX's Starbase centre in South Texas in February. AFP

The entrepreneur shakes hands with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in Porto Feliz, Brazil, in May. AP

Mr Bolsonaro and Mr Musk greet each other in Sao Paulo. Reuters

Indonesian President Joko Widodo meets Mr Musk at the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, in May. Reuters

Mr Musk shows Mr Widodo his mobile phone during a tour of the SpaceX launch site in Texas. Reuters