Mobile network coverage is set to improve with the launch of satellites from Lynk Global and SpaceX. Three years ago, Lynk’s test satellite sent a GSM message to a commercially available mobile phone for the first time, and as early as next year, Canada is poised to have mobile phone coverage everywhere under the open sky thanks to Lynk Global’s agreement with Canadian telecoms and media group Rogers. Rogers currently operates the second largest mobile network in Canada, covering less than 20% of the land area.
The provider has signed contracts with Lynk Global and Starlink operator SpaceX, with the companies expected to bring cellular connectivity to Rogers customers across the country without the need for dedicated satellite handsets. Lynk Global aims to cover Canada next year and the entire globe by 2023. The company currently has just three commercially usable Lynk satellites in orbit at an altitude of around 530 km, but plans to launch up to 72 satellites at a time on SpaceX rockets. Lynk will need to generate funding from potent investors to cover the significant costs involved.
In addition to SMS, MMS, voice calls and broadband data transmission would also be possible with Lynk’s satellites, which have been designed to be relatively small. The Canadian telecommunications market is weak in terms of competition, and Rogers has not disclosed the costs customers will incur. However, competition in the market for satellite telephony with normal mobile phones is growing. AST Spacemobile recently made the first satellite telephone call with a normal mobile phone. Apple has partnered with satellite operator Globalstar for its Emergency SOS SMS service, but its satellites orbit the earth at a slightly greater distance, around 1,414 km.
