Swarm is Stopping New Device Sale—Is this to Anticipate SpaceX’s Satellite-to-Cell Service?

An Internet-of-Things (IoT) provider, Swarm, is now stopping the sale of its devices as per the latest notice via email by the company to its customers. It is known that Swarm was acquired by SpaceX and remains its only acquisition in its operations, citing that it has plans to integrate its low-power modems into SpaceX's upcoming direct-to-cell service.

With SpaceX's massive developments in its satellite internet business with Starlink, the future where users will get to access it through their smartphones are inching closer to reality.

Swarm to Stop Selling New Devices in its Latest Notice

According to TechCrunch, Swarm issued notices to its customers earlier this month, claiming that the company is stopping the sale of its new devices to its previous customers. The company is best known for offering a device that could turn almost any other item into a connected device with its proposed satellite network venture.

The reports claim that this is part of Swarm's plans to offer the low-power M138 modem that has compatibility with SpaceX's Direct-to-Cell initiative.

Swarm was founded in 2016 by Sara Spangelo and Ben Longmire, with both executives joining the ranks at SpaceX.

Longmier now serves as SpaceX's senior direct of satellite engineering, while Spangelo is SpaceX's senior director satellite engineering, also a co-lead on the Direct to Cell initiative.

Swarm and SpaceX to Offer Satellite-to-Cell Services?

While there is no explicit confirmation of this joint venture, the ultimate goal of Swarm is to still offer satellite networks via its modems and IoT devices to the world.

It was acquired by SpaceX in 2021, and it was said to be a significant venture in the future, combining both's efforts towards its satellite services expansion. SpaceX is known for its work now on a satellite-to-cell service that would allow access to otherworldly connections right on the phones.

SpaceX and its Expansion of the Starlink Internet

It is widely known that Starlink's satellite internet services are one of the most widely available in the world, having reached far-off locations and are available in different continents already. However, some want to stop Starlink's partnership with T-Mobile to bring this service for cellular devices, with AT&T leading the charge backed by other telcos.

Despite the opposition, more countries and even its government bodies are also looking to adopt SpaceX's Starlink services, including the Japanese military.

SpaceX also partnered with different non-profits to help extend their reach to remote areas like the Pangan-an Island in the Philippines, providing internet connections to sites where terrestrial networks cannot reach.

Starlink remains one of the most iconic companies in the present because of its massive reach, also allowing travel mode and providing internet connection in various places. Soon, it will expand more of its reach via Swarm's IoT devices, and while there are still no concrete claims regarding this, it is one venture to expect in the future.