- SpaceX apparently wants to block Globalstar access to certain satellite frequencies
- Globalstar receives Apple funding to help extend the satellite functionality of the iPhone
- Apple and SpaceX may have already managed to conclude an agreement on a collaboration
SpaceX and Elon Musk Apple would be in a birth that could ultimately lead to uneven signals for services such as Starlink and iPhone Satellite Communications or a homogeneous monopolistic satellite service – none would be ideal for anyone.
The report comes from the Wall Street Journal (behind a paid wall) which affirms that sources familiar with the question of the SpaceX question push the American federal regulators not to allow the satellite service funded by the Globalstar apple to develop its use of limited radio-satellite frequencies.
This occurs after SpaceX and Apple would have been in conversations to collaborate more closely in the Apple satellite communication service, but with talks ending without any direct affair – SpaceX and T -Mobile will be able to offer their alternative to Apple satellite service on iPhones (with the service due to the start this summer).
Apple wants to rely on non -spacex networks to take charge of its own satellite communication features – but if the Musk company gets its path, Apple may have trouble developing without the support of SpaceX.
Reach the stars
As a quick and simple explanation: all satellites send signals to the earth using radio frequencies, and therefore to ensure the reliability of services, many parts of the world will lead specific frequencies in the radio spectrum on a regional basis. It is a question of ensuring that two companies with satellites operating in the same place do not make their signals all confused because they try to use the same frequency.
SpaceX (or any other satellite company) would like to try to control as much of these frequencies as possible because it allows it to send more data or send data faster – which ultimately leads to better service for its customers.
But a company locking too many frequencies in a region prevents other companies from being able to offer satellite services there – which leads to frustrating dead areas – or forces them to offer a worse service there because they can only use a limited frequency band. For consumers, this could also lead to prices, because the service with the most (or total satellite signal control can be charged what it wants.
This last competition on satellite frequencies will probably not be the last, but it highlights a problem with this important border of communication.
Obtaining a reliable internet and signal service to remote services can only be a good thing – as we have already seen any people using the Emergency SOS tool from their iPhone via satellite to call for help when they had no other option – but if it is not carefully manipulated, we could end up with a network that is too fractured or the one that is controlled by a few lucky ones.
