Starlink activates emergency phone connectivity for Hurricane Milton
Starlink activates emergency phone connectivity for Hurricane Milton
SpaceX has received emergency temporary approval to provide space-based connectivity to T-Mobile customers in Florida who may lose cellular service due to Hurricane Milton.
To clarify the headline a bit, the connectivity is for "T-Mobile customers in Florida who may lose cellular service due to Hurricane Milton", not connectivity for the hurricane itself, which I assume is doing just fine.
Also be aware that these satellites can broadcast wireless emergency alerts, which will go to all customers, regardless of carrier. I posted more about it on [email protected]
In the US, mobile devices can't make emergency calls using any network? I never noticed, but it's law for everywhere else I know. If there's any network in range, regardless of who owns it or if it's the driven around pop-up towers, anything with an IMEI can use whatever's around for emergency comms.
That's correct, worldwide as far as I know. But doesn't help if there's no network available at all. Usually, multiple carriers will use the same tower, so if that falls over, you're outta luck.