Satellite Link Added to New Pet Tracker for Off-Grid Coverage
A new pet tracking device aims to solve a persistent limitation of the current generation: total dependence on terrestrial cellular networks. Fi, a company focused exclusively on pet location technology, has until now built products like the Fi 3+ that rely on a GPS module to determine position and LTE to deliver that data to a companion smartphone app. The model remains available at $99, but its functionality ends where cellular coverage does.
Satellite Rescue When LTE Drops
The newly introduced Fi Ultra changes that equation. When an LTE connection cannot be established, the device is designed to automatically transmit its location over the Starlink satellite network. This capability is meant to offer reliable locating even in deep backcountry areas where dogs might roam. There is a practical trade-off for that expanded coverage: higher energy draw. Whereas a typical Apple AirTag runs for about a year on a single battery and the previous Fi 3+ achieves up to three months, the Fi Ultra is rated to last only “several days” per charge in full operation.
Intelligent Network Switching and Training Signals
To conserve power, the Fi Ultra will default to more efficient local connections such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or LTE whenever those are available before activating the satellite link. The tracker also introduces a feature called Fi Callback. Through the companion smartphone app, an owner can send a distinctive sound and vibration pattern to the device. The system is intended to let dogs be trained to return upon recognizing that specific alert. The Fi Ultra can be secured to either a standard collar or a dog harness, depending on the user’s preference and the dog’s build.
Pricing and Availability
Fi has begun selling the Ultra immediately at a price of $199. Access to the Starlink satellite connectivity requires a separate subscription, which costs $189 per year. The pairing of an upfront hardware purchase with an annual satellite service fee positions the Ultra as a premium option for owners who consistently venture beyond cellular range. The direct-to-satellite approach reflects a broader industry trend of moving niche connectivity devices onto expanding low-earth orbit networks to eliminate dead zones.
Source: www.businesswire.com