"Ben Longmier
@longmier
Emergency alerts have been demonstrated from our direct to cell satellites in orbit and will work to all @TMobile, AT&T, and Verizon phones in the US during events like forest fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and Amber alerts.

@Starlink will be able to fill in all gaps in coverage from our vantage point in LEO. When cell phone towers fail, we will be transmitting from space directly to users’ mobile phones for maximum safety." https://x.com/longmier/status/1833908667365876074

"Polaris
@PolarisProgram
HARMONY OF RESILIENCE: Recorded in space and sent to Earth via @SpaceX’s @Starlink constellation, Polaris Dawn crewmember and violinist @Gillis_SarahE invites you to enjoy this music moment in support of @StJude & @ElSistemaUSA" https://x.com/PolarisProgram/status/1834557770374296010

"United Airlines
@united
The world's most advanced high-speed Wi-Fi is coming to United with @Starlink. For free.
You’ll be able to stream, game, shop and more on seatback screens and personal devices simultaneously. Expect the same internet you get on the ground… at 35,000 feet. We expect to have Starlink on all 1,000+ United planes over the next several years." https://x.com/united/status/1834562645598302700

^^^Another blue-ribbon candidate for my 'Ignore List.'

"United Cajun Navy
@Unitedcajunnavy
Thanks to @elonmusk and @Starlink, our teams in the #NorthCarolinaFlood zone are reconnecting families who couldn't reach their loved ones for days! #CajunNavy" https://x.com/Unitedcajunnavy/status...08409314644317

That kind of responsiveness gets Musk off 10% of what comes out of his mouth, I suppose.

Elon Musk
"@elonmusk Starlink terminals will now work automatically without need for payment in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene" https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1841532500054532526

Starlink - https://x.com/Starlink/status/1841503492445176151

@Starlink For those impacted by Hurricane Helene, or looking to support response and recovery efforts in affected areas, Starlink is now free for 30 days.

Learn more here → https://www.starlink.com/support/art...9-9da261a4e096

FCC OET authorizes Direct-to-Cell (Starlink) testing in 3 States.

"This STA grant is limited to testing in the continental United States with earth stations at the specific locations identified (statewide Kansas, Nevada, and Oregon)." https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=359705&x=

It seems to me that the FCC should have approved the testing in the areas affected by Helene ....
Anything to help those guys out .

!0-4 on that! Apparently the FCC gave temporary permission this weekend:
"SpaceX
@SpaceX
SpaceX and @TMobile have been given emergency special temporary authority by the @FCC to enable @Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability to provide coverage for cell phones in the affected areas of Hurricane Helene.

The satellites have already been enabled and started broadcasting emergency alerts to cell phones on all networks in North Carolina. In addition, we may test basic texting (SMS) capabilities for most cell phones on the T-Mobile network in North Carolina.

SpaceX’s direct-to-cell constellation has not been fully deployed, so all services will be delivered on a best-effort basis." https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1842988427777605683

"SpaceX
@SpaceX In addition to the thousands (>10k) of Starlink kits we are delivering in response to Hurricane Helene, the
@Starlink team and @TMobile activated our Direct to Cell satellites to provide emergency alerts for all phones and carriers of those in affected areas.

The @FCC has also rapidly approved emergency special temporary authority for coverage in Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton.

We have now enabled basic texting (SMS) for those on T-Mobile phones in hurricane affected areas. Text messages have already been sent and received. You can text loved ones, text 911 and continue to receive emergency alerts.

If a phone connects to a Starlink satellite, it will have 1 to 2 bars of signal and show "T-Mobile SpaceX" in the network name. Users may have to manually retry text messages if they don't go through at first, as this is being delivered on a best-effort basis. The service works best outdoors, and occasionally works indoors near a window.
6:34 PM · Oct 8, 2024" https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1843797123420303789

mjolnir,

I'm interested in first hand accounts of Starlink. Do you or anyone you know use Starlink? By all accounts it seems to be easy to set-up technology.

I don't personally know anyone who has it. I had plans to get the small version that will fit in a backpack but some medical issues came up so I had to put it on hold for now.