UNITED STATES: Elon Musk recently revealed that cellular antennas allow connections with US-based T-Mobile phones, and maybe those from other operators are part of the planned second-generation Starlink internet satellites.
He responded to tweets after the event in which many questioned whether the connections would function with Tesla’s electric vehicles, which now link to AT&T’s LTE network.
He did not mention how it will all operate or how much data users may anticipate accessing from the connections while they are away from terrestrial cellphone towers. During the event, Musk claimed that Starlink’s satellite-to-cellular coverage could offer a 2 to 4 Mbps link that everyone shares in the satellite’s coverage area.
For some high-end connectivity capabilities, like live-streaming video from your car’s cameras, that probably won’t be enough. Even yet, a connection that functions at all, “wherever you have a view of the sky,” may be preferable to one that doesn’t.
The connectivity packages that come standard with Tesla’s electric vehicles have decreased over time.
As stated above, automobiles bought before the end of June 2018 come standard with Premium Connectivity, while cars bought before July 20th, 2022, come with at least the basic connectivity package, which includes in-car maps and navigation.
These connections are available for the duration of ownership of the vehicle, “excluding any necessary retrofits or upgrades for any features or services given to the car from outside sources.”
A Tesla that doesn’t already have Premium Connectivity must pay $9.99 per month or $99 annually to add it.
This was demonstrated by the recent demise of AT&T’s 3G network, as older vehicles without an LTE-capable modem may have needed a $200 upgrade to stay connected.
When an electric vehicle is purchased from Tesla today, whether it is new or used, it “will have Standard Connectivity for the remaining eight years from the first day your vehicle was delivered as new by Tesla, or the first day it is put into service (for example, used as a demonstrator or service vehicle), whichever comes first.”
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