Elon Musk has announced that Starlink, the satellite internet service from SpaceX, will allow people in remote or wilderness areas to access emergency services on their phones for free. This statement came as SpaceX seeks approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its direct-to-cellular Starlink technology.
SpaceX informed the FCC on Friday that its technology would be capable of sending emergency alerts to all cellphones, even in areas without traditional mobile coverage. Musk’s comments were shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) while the company, in partnership with T-Mobile, is in the process of obtaining FCC authorization to commercially operate the technology.
The new satellite service aims to provide additional cell coverage across the U.S., potentially eliminating “dead zones.” However, major cellular providers like AT&T and Verizon have expressed concerns that the technology could interfere with their existing networks.
In a letter to the FCC, SpaceX emphasized that this service would connect first responders in various challenging environments and deliver emergency alerts to everyone, not just T-Mobile customers. The company urged the FCC to approve the technology to provide mobile service in previously unconnected areas of the country.
On Tuesday, Musk highlighted the benefits of this emergency alert system in an X post, suggesting it could “help a lot of people if they are stranded in the wilderness.” He later confirmed that SpaceX’s Starlink will offer free emergency access for mobile phones globally, subject to regulatory approval by each country. He noted, “We can’t have a situation where someone dies because they forgot or couldn’t afford to pay for it.”
The specific details on how this service would function are not yet clear, and SpaceX did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
Musk’s comments appear to be a strategic move to appeal to the FCC as it considers the company’s application. Brendan Carr, an FCC commissioner, responded positively on X, stating that direct-to-cell technology could greatly benefit public safety and first responders.
This new service could resemble Apple’s Emergency SOS feature, available on newer iPhone models like the iPhone 14 and 15, which allows users to request help via satellite when out of cellular range. Apple’s feature, free for two years upon activation, has been used in situations such as when hikers were stranded in an Oregon forest and a couple drove off a cliff in California.