Recently, there is an important piece of news about the collaboration between Apple and Musk’s SpaceX Starlink. In the future, Apple’s phones will be directly connected to satellites. This news not only impacts the global phone manufacturing industry but may also have a significant effect on many Chinese people, as it could directly affect the functionality of the Chinese firewall.
The main concern is whether in the future all smartphones will be able to access the internet through satellites. What are the differences and prices between this technology and current methods of accessing the internet? Will it be possible to use phones to connect directly to satellites in China in the future?
Independent TV producer Li Jun mentioned in a program on NTD Elite Forum that phone connectivity with Starlink is a disruptive development for the world. Apple has collaborated with T-Mobile to add support for Starlink networks in its latest iPhone software, iOS 18.3. This means that even old phones can be upgraded to connect to Starlink after updating to iOS 18.3, ensuring signal access from any corner of the Earth.
Li Jun explained that by the end of 2024, Samsung had already linked with Starlink, followed by Apple at the beginning of the year. This ongoing trend threatens to disrupt the entire phone industry chain, making previous efforts in establishing base stations and advancing 5G technology potentially obsolete. The internet industry will also be impacted as direct computer connections become possible, potentially altering undersea cables and root servers.
Regarding China, Apple currently has approximately 240 million users in the country. It is speculated that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would likely not allow Apple phones to connect directly to Starlink since it could render the CCP firewall ineffective. Additionally, it poses challenges for the major mobile and telecom operators, such as China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom. Musk stated in 2022 that the CCP requested assurances that Starlink would not be introduced in China.
Li Jun highlighted that if Starlink reaches a point where high-speed global internet connectivity is achieved, not involving China would isolate its internet system to a local network. The CCP is taking steps in response by developing its satellite system called Guo Wang, but progress is slow. Users may favor Starlink over local alternatives.
Senior editor and columnist Shi Shan expressed in the Elite Forum that the widespread adoption of smartphones connecting to satellites could render the CCP firewall ineffective, which relies on internet service providers. Direct satellite connectivity would circumvent existing infrastructures, presenting a significant challenge. Musk has assured the Chinese government that Starlink will not be opened for Chinese use, including in Taiwan.
Gao Zhengpu, a doctoral student at the National Defense University of Taiwan’s Institute of Military Strategy, mentioned in the Elite Forum that connecting phones to Starlink introduces technical complexities due to the distance between individuals and outer space. While previous phone generations started including emergency satellite call features with iOS 14, its functionality was limited to emergency situations. Recent models like the HUAWEI Mate 60 offer satellite call features but only for basic communication. Advancements in RF chip technology could enhance satellite network usage, offering comprehensive capabilities comparable to current 5G and 4G networks.
Gao highlighted Starlink’s utility in the Ukrainian conflict, where the front lines have utilized Starlink services to facilitate communication effectively. The Taiwanese military is exploring similar avenues for strategic communications.
Media personality Guo Jun mentioned in the Elite Forum that satellite phone technology may likely become widespread within the next two to five years, progressing faster than anticipated. The increased deployment of low-orbit satellites, particularly by SpaceX, signifies a notable shift in connectivity capabilities.
The trend leans towards the next generation of communication technology relying on satellite networks rather than ground-based stations. 5G technology, utilizing millimeter waves, faces obstacles due to external interferences. Huawei has established a large number of base stations to support 5G, with China reportedly having 3.6 million base stations. However, if SpaceX’s satellite launch costs can be reduced significantly, satellite coverage could surpass ground-based solutions in cost-effectiveness and coverage area. Satellite signals also offer improved latency.
Experts suggest that future 6G wireless communications will likely employ satellite-based methods, presenting a potentially superior alternative to current systems. For China, restrictions on direct satellite phone connections would impede progress until homegrown satellite solutions are established. Huawei may continue thriving in China but might face challenges in other markets.
Another concern involves the limited availability of low-orbit satellites, with SpaceX planning substantial launches in the coming years. The fierce competition for satellite slots may pose challenges for China and other countries aiming to secure positions for their satellite networks.
Li Jun mentioned in the Elite Forum, the intriguing development where Musk’s purchase of X platform could redefine media influence through network operation and device manufacturing. The potential rise of a self-media era, where individuals hold media capabilities, could reshape societal dynamics.
Guo Jun noted that technological revolutions invariably instigate changes in social structures throughout history. The current era of information explosion and technological advancements demands adaptable social systems and culture, posing challenges for rigid regimes like the CCP. The accessibility of tools like phones and wireless communication signifies a revolutionary social impact, urging societies to adapt swiftly.
In the face of technological disruptions, the CCP’s rigid structure may struggle to evolve and could lag behind, as seen in the Soviet Union and pre-reform China. These technological advancements could trigger significant societal shifts, requiring innovative cultures and more tolerant systems to thrive.
The Elite Forum program by NTD and Epoch Times aims to gather global elites, focusing on hot topics and analyzing worldly trends, providing an in-depth view of societal issues and historical truths. For the complete content of the Elite Forum, viewers are encouraged to watch online.
Production Team of the Elite Forum
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