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Loon can (could) handle normal LTE mobile phones. Starlink requires a phased array antenna the size of a pizza box which, to my understanding, cannot be fully m
by jessriedel 6y ago
Loon can (could) handle normal LTE mobile phones. Starlink requires a phased array antenna the size of a pizza box which, to my understanding, cannot be fully miniaturized. That's not to say they aren't somewhat competing against each other, but Starlink doesn't strictly dominate as you imply.
- fossuser 6y agoI honestly think SpaceX could give those away in developing areas if they had to. But yes, you’re right that being able to use LTE and existing phone radios was a point in loon’s favor.
- rrmoelker 6y agoLet's hope so. Though the price might be a hurdle. The price per base station is quite high right now. Estimates range from $500 - $2500 (based on teardown)[1]. 1 https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/kwkep4/tsp_181_starlink_dish_phased_array_design/ https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/kwkep4/tsp_181_star...
- jessriedel 6y agoOk, but just to be clear, I wasn't trying to make a statement about cost; that can always be folded into the monthly payments or, as you say, philanthropically donated.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]