Exclusive: Fi is bringing Starlink satellite technology to dog collars

July 9, 2026 - 03:12

Fi is rolling out a new pet collar that uses SpaceX's Starlink direct-to-cell satellite technology, marking the first time satellite connectivity has been built into a consumer pet tracker. The company announced the exclusive feature this week, positioning it as a solution for owners whose dogs roam beyond cellular range.

The collar works by switching automatically between standard LTE networks and Starlink's satellite link when there is no cell signal. That means a lost dog in a remote area, a national forest, or even a rural farm can still be located through the Fi app. The satellite connection handles location pings and basic status updates, though it does not support live tracking or continuous streaming data.

Fi says the battery life on the satellite mode is shorter than on cellular, but the trade-off is coverage in places where no other consumer pet tracker can reach. The company tested the collars in several off-grid locations across the western United States, including parts of Montana and Colorado, where dogs frequently wander out of cell range.

The new collars will cost more than Fi's standard models, but the company has not released exact pricing yet. Pre-orders open later this month, with shipments expected to begin in early summer. Fi is also rolling out a software update for existing users that will show satellite coverage zones on the map, so owners can see where the collar might switch over.

This move puts Fi ahead of other pet tech companies that still rely solely on cellular or Bluetooth. It also signals a broader push by SpaceX to license its direct-to-cell service for niche consumer devices, beyond the initial focus on emergency messaging for phones.