T-Mobile, SpaceX to End Cellphone Dead Zones
The Facts
On Thurs., US wireless carrier T-Mobile announced that it will partner with Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink satellite service to provide cell reception to connect the company's mobile phone users directly with satellites in orbit.
In a joint press release, the companies said that the partnership will "provide near complete coverage in most places in the US - even in many of the most remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell signals."
The Spin
Narrative A
With over half a million square miles of the US untouched by cell service this partnership marks a turning point. This new connection won't be reliant on old technology like cell towers or underground cable networks and may pave the way to future partnerships that could see worldwide connection.
Narrative B
While this is exciting news, it's too early to start celebrating. Starlink itself is still a new service and SpaceX has yet to demonstrate that it can deliver on its promise. It remains to be seen how far this partnership will reach.
