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> Included for free with most T-Mobile plans other than the cheapest plans This is big. Only concerning part seems to be the large antenna required on the sate

> Included for free with most T-Mobile plans other than the cheapest plans This is big. Only concerning part seems to be the large antenna required on the satellites, which would probably incur some extra scrutiny by regulators, but IMO the benefits of something like this far exceed the downsides.

jupp0r 4y ago
Why would large antennas require scrutiny by regulators?
- trothamel 4y ago
  A combination of orbital debris and astronomy issues. A big antenna means it's more likely to be hit by other satellites, and it'll be brighter. There's a good chance this might mean these are limited to the ~350 KM shells, which will deorbit faster (limiting debris risk), and will go into sunset sooner.
  - hoseja 4y ago
    Is that an actual concern? Honestly sounds kinda nonsensical to me but I don't know enough about antenna size in orbit regulation.
    - NavinF 4y ago
      It is indeed nonsensical, but it was covered by every news outlet a couple of years ago. Astronomy issues: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_flare#Mega-constellations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_flare#Mega-constella... Orbital debris: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome#Potential_triggers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome#Potential_tri... Nobody bothered to look at the details.
      - consumer451 4y ago
        > Nobody bothered to look at the details. This is a solid contender for humanity's epitaph.
      - deelowe 4y ago
        I read the links, but I'm not seeing where the concerns are nonsensical.
        NavinF 4y ago
        The links are just background info. The concerns are difficult to dispute because they’re “not even wrong”. There are no specific claims that can be disputed. Serious astronomers don’t just look at a photo with bright dots and get confused because some of them are satellites. A few predictable bright pixels are the least of their concerns. As far as space debris, see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_space_debris_producing_events https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_space_debris_produci...

jupp0r 4y ago

Why would large antennas require scrutiny by regulators?

trothamel 4y ago
A combination of orbital debris and astronomy issues. A big antenna means it's more likely to be hit by other satellites, and it'll be brighter. There's a good chance this might mean these are limited to the ~350 KM shells, which will deorbit faster (limiting debris risk), and will go into sunset sooner.
- hoseja 4y ago
  Is that an actual concern? Honestly sounds kinda nonsensical to me but I don't know enough about antenna size in orbit regulation.
  - NavinF 4y ago
    It is indeed nonsensical, but it was covered by every news outlet a couple of years ago. Astronomy issues: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_flare#Mega-constellations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_flare#Mega-constella... Orbital debris: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome#Potential_triggers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome#Potential_tri... Nobody bothered to look at the details.
    - consumer451 4y ago
      > Nobody bothered to look at the details. This is a solid contender for humanity's epitaph.
    - deelowe 4y ago
      I read the links, but I'm not seeing where the concerns are nonsensical.
      - NavinF 4y ago
        The links are just background info. The concerns are difficult to dispute because they’re “not even wrong”. There are no specific claims that can be disputed. Serious astronomers don’t just look at a photo with bright dots and get confused because some of them are satellites. A few predictable bright pixels are the least of their concerns. As far as space debris, see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_space_debris_producing_events https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_space_debris_produci...