Updated
Updated · SpaceNews · Jul 8
Fi Launches $199 Dog Tracker With Starlink Direct-to-Cell for U.S. Off-Grid Coverage
Updated
Updated · SpaceNews · Jul 8

Fi Launches $199 Dog Tracker With Starlink Direct-to-Cell for U.S. Off-Grid Coverage

3 articles · Updated · SpaceNews · Jul 8

Summary

  • Fi on July 8 unveiled Fi Ultra, a dog tracker that stays connected across the United States through T-Mobile’s Starlink-enabled T-Satellite service, even beyond terrestrial cellular coverage.
  • The launch targets pet owners in rural and low-service areas, where Fi said demand has built for a tracker that works on hikes, hunts and other off-grid trips.
  • Fi called Ultra the first consumer product outside smartphones to ship with Starlink Direct-to-Cell as a core feature; T-Mobile has offered the satellite service commercially since 2025.
  • Pricing starts at $199 for new customers, plus a $20 activation fee and annual membership from $189, while existing subscribers can buy the hardware for a $299 flat fee.
  • The company shipped its 1 millionth product last year and expects the new device to drive both upgrades from current users and new sign-ups from customers who previously lacked reliable coverage.

Insights

Will Fi Ultra's high price tag and subscription make ultimate pet safety a luxury that most families simply cannot afford?
Beyond location pings, what are the true capabilities and limitations of Fi's satellite connection in a real-world emergency?
As big tech like Starlink enters pet tracking, will smaller innovators be pushed out of the rapidly consolidating market?