Elon Musk says Starlink emergency services will be free on mobile phones

SpaceX says the satellite-based service will give Americans additional cellular coverage from space, which would close mobile “dead zones.” Cellular service providers AT&T and Verizon have expressed concerns about the technology, including that it would disrupt their own mobile networks.

In a letter to the FCC on Friday, SpaceX said the service would connect first responders in a variety of environments and be able to wirelessly send emergency alerts to everyone — not just T-Mobile customers — in places where there’s no Earth base. . cellular coverage.

The company urged the FCC to authorize it to operate the satellites commercially, “connecting Americans in places that have never had cellular service before.”

In an X post on Tuesday, Musk highlighted the wireless emergency alert system and said it could “help a lot of people if they’re stuck in the wilderness.”

“After further consideration, SpaceX Starlink will provide free access to mobile phone emergency services for people in distress,” Musk said in a later post. “This applies worldwide, subject to the approval of country governments. There can’t be a situation where someone dies because they forgot or couldn’t pay for it.”

It is not clear exactly how emergency services would work. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Musk’s post may have been aimed at wooing the FCC as they consider approving direct-to-cell service.

Brendan Carr, a Republican commissioner of the FCC, reacted positively to the announcement, replying in an X post: “Direct-to-cell technology will really benefit communications for public safety and first responders.”

The satellite-based emergency service could be similar to Apple’s SOS emergency service, which is available on newer iPhones. The feature allows iPhones out of cellular range to call for help from emergency services via satellite, among other features.

Apple’s Emergency SOS feature is available on iPhone 14 and 15 models and is free for two years after activating the phone. The feature has been used around the world, including by hikers who got stuck in a forest in Oregon and a couple who drove off a cliff in California.