Starlink to consider using Vodafone spectrum to expand service in UK

Confirming the development, a Vodafone spokesperson informed the Telegraph that in the regard of satellite spectrum, the company is in talks with “multiple operators” and that they are close to striking a deal.

SpaceX-operated satellite corporation Starlink is in talks to consider joining hands with Vodafone Group Plc in order to expand its satellite broadband service in the UK, as reported by the Telegraph on October 24, 2021.

The paper revealed Starlink has been looking for ground station infrastructure and efficient high-frequency spectrum with the view of elevating the capacity of its service.

Confirming the development, a Vodafone spokesperson informed the Telegraph that in the regard of satellite spectrum, the company is in talks with “multiple operators” and that they are close to striking a deal. However, Starlink did not disclose any updates concerning the deal.

Starlink was also highlighted earlier in October 2021, to reveal its plans of focusing on 10 rural Lok Sabha constituencies. The corporation aims at offering internet services via broadband connectivity in the rural regions of India. The matter was reported to be discussed virtually with top government officials comprising members of the parliament and other concerned ministers regarding the chalked out plan of transforming lives of people in the rural areas of the country. Starlink will launch its broadband service in India from December 2022. However, the satellite service company’s two lakh active terminals are yet to receive green signal from the government of India.

Starlink, operated by Elon Musk-led SpaceX is currently giving neck-and-neck competition to global internet service provider OneWeb, to offer the same services from low-earth orbit to internet users and other businesses across various regions of the world, especially where terrestrial fixed and wireless communications are not profitable.

Both the satellite internet service providers are making noticeable efforts to offer services. They are reaching out to join hands with telecommunication companies. In September 2021, OneWeb announced an agreement with AT&T Inc. to allow the latter to use OneWeb’s satellites for offering broadband services to businesses in distant or isolated areas. The company also announced partnerships with Galaxy Broadband, together with the complete acquisition of TrustComm, now named OneWeb Technologies.

London-based satellite internet service company, OneWeb has also launched 36 satellites from Vostochny Cosmodrome of Russia around mid-October, 2021. The recent developments are expected to fuel the company’s goal of delivering advanced digital communication services to difficult-to-reach parts of the world.

Musk revealed through a tweet on October 14 that he was in talks with airline companies about installing a satellite internet service unit of SpaceX, Starlink. However, no further disclosures were made regarding the matter.