Pet Tracking, Reimagined by Starlink
Fi Ultra Dog Collar Launches, Bringing Starlink Tracking to Cellular Dead Zones
Key Points
Fi Ultra pricing and activation details show variation: commonly cited as $199 for the device with Fi’s subscription around $189 per year, but some outlets also mention an activation fee (~$20) and a different $99 every six months for existing Fi subscribers.
Battery life claims versus real-world tests vary: Fi states the Ultra can run for months on a charge thanks to ML power management, while independent testing has shown around two days of runtime in typical use.
Availability and scope: Fi describes the Ultra as the first consumer wearable powered by T-Satellite with Starlink, with launch focused on the United States and no stated international availability yet.
Hardware design and comfort features: the Ultra uses a universal integrated clip for standard collars, includes a spring-mounted clasp, weighs about 68g, and adds a vibration motor plus a speaker for Fi’s Callback training system.
Satellite-mode performance and update cadence: when cellular coverage is unavailable, the device switches to Starlink’s satellite network, with map updates roughly every 2–3 minutes in satellite mode, which is slower than typical LTE updates.
Fi has launched the Fi Ultra, the first dog collar to connect via Starlink's satellite network when cell service runs out. The device went live on July 8, 2026, and lets owners track their dogs anywhere in the US — even in rural areas far from cell towers, according to Basenor.
The Fi Ultra costs $199 for the hardware. A subscription runs $189 per year, or $99 every six months for existing Fi users, according to The Next Web. Techspot reports the tracker includes dual-band GPS and switches to Starlink automatically when LTE drops.
How Starlink Fills the Dead Zone Gap
Most GPS dog trackers depend on cell towers. When a dog wanders into a forest or a remote field, the signal dies. The Fi Ultra fixes this by adding a second layer: Starlink's direct-to-cell satellite network. The device tries LTE first. If that fails, it switches to satellite automatically, according to Eritvnews.
In satellite mode, the collar sends a location update roughly every 2–3 minutes. That is slower than LTE, which pushes updates in near real-time. But for a dog stuck in a cellular dead zone, even a two-minute update is far better than no update at all, Notebookcheck noted.
Battery Life Claims Don't Match Early Tests
Fi says the Ultra can run for months on a single charge. The company credits machine learning power management, which adjusts how often the collar pings its location based on the dog's activity. Fi founder Jonathan Bensamoun called it a major step forward for the category, according to Eritvnews.
Independent testers tell a different story. Real-world use has shown battery life closer to two days, not months. Satellite connectivity burns more power than LTE, so heavy use in dead zones will drain the battery faster. Buyers should keep that gap in mind before heading deep into the backcountry.
Hardware Built for Active Dogs
The Fi Ultra weighs about 68 grams. It clips onto any standard collar using a universal integrated clip with a spring-mounted clasp, so it should stay secure even on active dogs. The device also includes a vibration motor and a speaker that power Fi's Callback training feature, according to Basenor.
Early impressions praised the attachment hardware as more secure than past Fi models. The dual-band GPS also locks onto a signal faster than single-band trackers. Reviewers did caution that satellite mode remains a fallback, not a replacement — the collar still leans on cell networks whenever they are available, Notebookcheck reported.
Fi Takes Aim at Tractive and Garmin With Space Tech
The pet tracker market is crowded. Tractive and Garmin both offer GPS collars with solid LTE coverage. But neither has added satellite connectivity. Fi is betting that Starlink gives it a clear edge — especially for owners in rural areas or anyone whose dog has ever gone missing outside cell range, per Eritvnews.
For now, the Fi Ultra is US-only. Fi has not announced any international launch timeline. Some outlets also mention a roughly $20 activation fee on top of the device and subscription costs, according to The Next Web. Whether the satellite edge justifies the price will depend on where — and how far — your dog likes to roam.
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