Fi, a pet technology company, now offers satellite connectivity for dog trackers using SpaceX's Starlink direct-to-device service. The capability extends Fi's existing collar and harness products, which previously relied on cellular networks and GPS for location tracking.

The integration leverages Starlink's growing direct-to-device constellation, which communicates with standard mobile devices without requiring specialized ground infrastructure. This allows Fi to locate pets in areas where terrestrial cellular coverage remains absent or unreliable. Dog owners can track their animals across remote terrain, coastlines, and wilderness regions where traditional networks fail.

Fi's move demonstrates expanding real-world applications for Starlink's direct-to-device technology beyond emergency communications. SpaceX designed the service for critical messaging, but commercial ventures now test its utility for consumer IoT devices. The pet-tracking sector represents a lower-stakes entry into satellite-enabled tracking, building operational experience before broader IoT deployment.

Fi's expansion reflects the commercial space industry's pivot toward direct-to-device satellite services. Other companies, including Amazon's Project Kuiper and Iridium Communications, pursue similar pathways. Each system targets different frequency bands and latency profiles, creating a competitive landscape for IoT applications.

The technology carries practical value for pet owners and potentially for livestock management. Collars equipped with Starlink capability weigh and cost more than cellular-only alternatives, limiting initial adoption. However, as manufacturing scales and competition intensifies, satellite-enabled tracking becomes accessible to broader markets.

SpaceX's Starlink constellation now comprises over 7,000 operational satellites in low Earth orbit. Direct-to-device services represent only one revenue stream among many. Broadband internet delivery remains the primary focus, but ancillary uses generate additional revenue and demonstrate satellite network versatility to regulators and investors.

Fi's partnership underscores how space-based infrastructure