Racing For Place In The New Space Race: Customers Seek Launch Options

In a transformational moment, similar to the Internet revolution, space technology is bringing the promise of universal global communications to reality for everyone on Earth – and outstripping the capacity of space launch providers in the process. SpaceX’s satellite based Starlink service is now PC Magazine’s top ranked Internet Service Provider, beating the top terrestrial competitors including Verizon’s FIOS. Lynk Global is already providing cell to satellite connections in the remote South Pacific, while AST Space Mobile promises to bring space-based 5G service to the farthest corners of the globe. T-Mobile recently announced a partnership with Starlink to eliminate nearly all the dead spots in the U.S. and Verizon plans to do the same with Amazon’s Kuiper constellation. Apple already has a satellite-enabled SOS feature in their iPhone product, and with SpaceX’s Starlink constellation announcing direct-to-cell capabilities, competition is likely to increase even further with expanded consumer features.