“Just to give you an example, we look at our data in May, and satellite usage is 0.0002% of our total network usage. That’s three zeros,” he said, later adding: “We’re seeing it largely focused on the national parks.”

That was my first thought. It’s been a long time since I hit a dead zone, with the sole exception of national parks. I wouldn’t pay extra for that, but it would be nice to be able to contact my traveling companions if we ever split up.

Compared to ~10 years ago, it’s a different world. Back then, I’d hit dead zones pretty much anytime I left a major city.