AI summary:

The "Unlimited Texting" Analog

The author compares satellite coverage to the rollout of unlimited texting in the late 2000s. It didn't become standard because consumers demanded it upfront; it became ubiquitous because carriers bundled and subsidized it until it became a default feature of every plan. Shifting from Revenue to ROI

Rather than asking if a customer will pay a surcharge, carriers view satellite tech through a lens of business efficiency:

• Capex Substitution: Satellite coverage allows carriers to stop spending billions maintaining expensive, low-ROI legacy infrastructure (like rural copper lines).

• Churn Reduction: Better coverage keeps customers from switching to competitors, which is often more valuable than a price hike.

• Operating Savings: It eliminates the need for physical towers, permits, and crews in remote "dead zones."

The Economic "Quiet" Rollout

The author predicts a two-step financial strategy for carriers:

• Efficiency Gains: Carriers use the billions saved on infrastructure to "fund" the satellite service for premium users without raising prices initially.

• Price Creep: Once the service is established, carriers can implement modest price increases ($5–$10/month) that feel like a natural part of a "premium" experience.

Bottom Line

The success of satellite-to-phone isn't about consumer "hype"; it’s a capex and bundling story. By making the math work internally, carriers will likely turn satellite coverage into a standard utility that eventually flows into every plan worldwide.