Fi has released a new dog collar that uses SpaceX's Starlink direct-to-mobile network to track pets from almost anywhere [1].

This technology removes the reliance on traditional cellular towers, which often fail in remote areas or during network outages. By leveraging satellite connectivity, the device ensures that pet owners can locate lost animals even in wilderness regions where mobile signals are nonexistent.

The new tracker provides worldwide coverage [1]. Traditional GPS collars typically depend on a combination of GPS for location and cellular data to send that location back to the owner's phone. This creates a critical failure point when a pet wanders outside of urban or suburban cellular range.

Fi's integration with the Starlink network allows the collar to communicate directly with satellites. This capability allows the device to maintain a connection regardless of local infrastructure. Fi said the new tracker can keep tabs on pets almost anywhere in the world [1].

The system is designed to provide continuous GPS tracking, and the potential for remote communication capabilities for pets [1]. This ensures that the link between the owner and the animal remains intact across global borders and varied terrains.

While previous iterations of pet trackers relied on the availability of 4G or 5G networks, the shift to satellite-to-mobile technology represents a change in how consumer wearables interact with space-based infrastructure. The device is currently available for use [1].

“Fi's new tracker can keep tabs on pets almost anywhere in the world.”

The integration of Starlink's direct-to-mobile capabilities into consumer pet products signals a broader shift toward the 'satellite-to-everything' ecosystem. By bypassing terrestrial cellular networks, companies can offer truly global services for low-power devices, potentially expanding this technology into other livestock or wildlife monitoring applications.