Introduction : Tesla Phone
In a world dominated by technological advancements and constant innovation, few names stand out as prominently as Tesla. Renowned for revolutionizing the electric vehicle market and spearheading advancements in sustainable energy, Tesla has become synonymous with cutting-edge technology and visionary leadership under its CEO, Elon Musk. The next frontier for this pioneering company appears to be the highly competitive smartphone market, with the much-anticipated release of the Tesla Phone. This device promises to not only challenge the status quo but also redefine what consumers can expect from their handheld devices.
The Tesla Phone is more than just a smartphone; it embodies a synergy of technology, innovation, and sustainability. One of the most exciting aspects of the Tesla Phone is its seamless integration with Tesla’s ecosystem. For owners of Tesla vehicles, the smartphone will act as a natural extension of their car. Imagine a phone that can not only start your car remotely but also adjust its climate settings, check battery levels, and even summon your vehicle from a parking spot. This level of integration is unprecedented and offers a glimpse into a future where all aspects of our lives are interconnected and effortlessly controlled.
At the heart of the Tesla Phone lies its commitment to sustainability. Tesla has been a trailblazer in promoting renewable energy, and the smartphone is expected to follow suit. Rumors suggest that the Tesla Phone will feature solar charging capabilities, utilizing advanced photovoltaic technology. This innovation means that users could potentially charge their phones by simply exposing them to sunlight, significantly reducing reliance on traditional charging methods and promoting eco-friendly practices. This feature alone sets the Tesla Phone apart in a market that is increasingly conscious of environmental impact.
SATELLITE AND 5G NETWORKS
The concept of using a LEO swarm to directly connect to phones on earth, however, is becoming eminently less fanciful. We have previously written about how the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has added a non–terrestrial networks (NTN) element to 5G Release 17, which was completed at the end of March this year.
The NTN aspect of the latest 5G specification will enable a normal 5G phone to link directly to a satellite in space. The direct connection will only allow low data rate applications, such as text messaging, and will likely be quite expensive. Satellite phones today are pretty costly, however a 5G alternative may cut down the number of devices you have to carry when hiking in the wilderness, for instance. Commercial 5G NTN–compatible devices could start to arrive on the market late in 2023 or sometime in 2024.
SoftBank Corp.
Japanese operator SoftBank Corp. is also working on a satellite–based NTN project to extend its services outside of its domestic market. Hidebumi Kitahara, vice president and head of the Service Planning Technology Division at Softbank says that 2022 will be “the first year of services” for the NTN scheme. He expects that SoftBank will launch OneWeb and Skylo satellite solutions by the end of the year.
AST SpaceMobile
Startup AST SpaceMobile has just been granted an FCC experimental license to launch its BlueWalker 3 test satellite this summer. The company says that the satellite will directly link with standard cellphones on the ground.
AST SpaceMobile intends to start testing the satellite network using low–band cellphone frequencies in Hawaii and Texas. The company claims that it is building “the first and only space–based cellular broadband network designed to be accessible directly by standard mobile phones.”
Space startup Lynk Global may dispute that bold promise. The Virginia–based company says it launched “the world’s first commercial cell–tower–in–space” this April. Lynk says it plans to launch its global commercial service by the end of 2022, having signed deals with a dozen operators around the world.
CONCLUSION
There are plenty of companies and groups that are working to make direct connections from a satellite to a 4G or 5G cellphone a standard feature. Providing, of course, that would–be customers are prepared to pay the high prices bound to be demanded for an immediate space link with a LEO satellite.
Traditional satellite phones are chunkier and more expensive than their cellphone equivalents, and monthly service plans are costly as well. Therefore, users that need a satellite in order to get mobile coverage may well prefer a direct satellite link to their cellphone, especially as this means there would be one less device to carry around and lose!
