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Comment by ortusdux | Hacker News Reader

Has anyone used a RockBLOCK? They seemed to be the cheapest way to send SMS via the iridium network. I wonder how long until we see something similar for starlink's network.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13745

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Already exists: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/21287

Those are for the Swarm network of satellites. Their smaller modem is $90, and data service is $5/mo for 750 packets (192 bytes/ea).

What I'm wondering is how long it will be before we see a similar device/service for Starlink's network.

> What I'm wondering is how long it will be before we see a similar device/service for Starlink's network.

For low bandwidth applications like Swarm, perhaps a cheap 4g breakout board would work out-of-the-box with the right plan.

Swarm is a subsidiary of SpaceX.

Also, the Starlink modems need a huge amount of power compared to the Swarm network, not really a similar application.

The Starlink modems pull about 100 watts. As far as I know, the cell uplink service being discussed in this article does not use the Swarm network, and the phones utilizing this new service will not be running at 100w. This is a new satellite based low-power 4g/5g service that slots in somewhere between Starlink internet and Swarm's offering, and it seems to be integrated into the Starlink network. It is cheap enough to lump into cell plans, is compatible with sub $100 phones, and seems to have the capacity for much higher bandwidths.

Seems quite expensive. On top you need to add 15 USD / month.

So for 300 USD + 15 USD / month, you can get a Garmin inReach Messenger

You also need an active Iridium subscription to use a Garmin. Iridium is really expensive. Data caps are a low number of kb's.

These RockBLOCK's are intended as a drop in comms module for remote embedded devices like weather stations.

Yes you need it for the RockBLOCK too:

https://docs.rockblock.rock7.com/docs/iridium-contract-costs

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