At the third largest Swiss mobile phone provider Salt, network coverage is getting closer even in areas without mobile phone antennas: in the fight against dead spots, Salt’s mobile network will be connected to Tesla founder Elon Musk’s new Starlink internet satellite network. Subscribers should receive their first text message almost everywhere by the end of 2024 can be sent via satellite.
Musk’s company SpaceX has now launched the first satellite that enables direct connections to conventional 4G-enabled smartphones, Salt announced on Wednesday. These direct-to-cell satellites are the first step toward achieving network coverage, even in areas with little or no cell phone signals. This applies not only in Switzerland, but also abroad.
The first tests of sending text messages via satellite took place in the US. In preparation for the launch in Switzerland, expected in 2024, we are working closely with the supervisory authorities in Switzerland and those in neighboring countries, the report said. They still have to agree to the new connection technology via satellite.
Salt – the pioneer in Europe
Salt was the first mobile phone provider in Europe to sign a user agreement with Starlink last March. In 2025, the service will be expanded to voice and data services.
However, the bandwidth of the ‘Direct to Cell’ service is limited. Then Salt boss Pascal Grieder said last March when presenting the satellite plans that you could send emails or WhatsApp messages. But it’s not enough for streaming.
In addition, the response time (latency) is much longer because the signal has to travel a much greater distance to the satellite than to a normal mobile phone antenna. When calling, this leads to minor delays that the customer notices, according to Grieder.
For this reason, satellite access is only possible if there is no mobile phone antenna within range. Grieder said that in principle there are no problems in everyday life, because the signals from mobile phone antennas are stronger. The new satellite technology complements the mobile network and not replaces it.
Sources
- salt.ch: Starlink launches the first SpaceX direct-to-cell satellites, paving the way for satellite-based phone connections for Salt subscribers in Switzerland
(dsc/sda/awp)
Source: Watson
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
