SpaceX made history this week with the launch of the first six Starlink satellites equipped with Direct to Cell capabilities. Starlink Direct to Cell; Cell Phone Tower in Space will provide cell phone connectivity directly through SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, aiming to eliminate dead zones worldwide.
The six satellites were part of a batch of 21 launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket on January 3, 2024 from Cape Canaveral. This comes just a month after SpaceX received approval from U.S. regulators to begin testing Starlink Direct to Cell in partnership with T-Mobile.
According to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, “There will be no cellphone dead zones in the world. Your phone will still work even if there are no cell towers.“
This will allow for mobile phone connectivity anywhere on Earth.
Note, this only supports ~7Mb per beam and the beams are very big, so while this is a great solution for locations with no cellular connectivity, it is not meaningfully competitive with existing terrestrial… https://t.co/ymHpw8XBHl
Starlink Direct to Cell will act essentially as cell towers in space. The satellites have an advanced antenna that will connect directly to consumer cell phones using standard LTE frequencies. Users will be seamlessly handed off between satellite and ground towers just as they are between ground towers today.
No hardware upgrades are required for existing user devices to connect to the Starlink network. The service aims to provide voice, text, and data connectivity even in the most remote regions on Earth and waters. Testing is set to begin later this year with limited commercial services starting in 2025.
This launch represents a massive leap forward toward SpaceX’s vision of blanketing the globe with high-speed satellite internet. Starlink Direct to Cell may be the solution to eliminating mobile dead zones forever.
FAQ About Starlink Direct to Cell
What is Starlink Direct to Cell?
Starlink Direct to Cell is a new service by SpaceX that uses satellites in space to provide direct cellular connectivity to users on the ground, serving as cell towers in space. It aims to provide voice, text, data, and IoT connectivity in even the most remote regions on Earth.
When will it be available?
SpaceX is planning to begin beta testing of Starlink Direct to Cell later in 2024 after its initial launch. Limited commercial rollout is expected to begin in 2025.
What phones are compatible?
Starlink Direct to Cell will work with existing LTE-compatible cell phones. No hardware upgrades or new phones are required.
Will it work with my current cellular provider?
SpaceX has partnerships with major cellular providers including T-Mobile (USA), Optus (Australia), Rogers (Canada), One Nz (New Zealand), Kddi (Japan), and Salt (Switzerland) to allow roaming access to Starlink Direct to Cell. Users will not need to switch carriers.
How does it work?
The satellites have advanced antennas that connect directly with consumer cell phones using LTE frequencies. Users will be handed off between Starlink satellites and ground towers just as they are between cell towers today.
Will it eliminate all cellular dead zones?
Starlink Direct to Cell aims to eliminate mobile dead zones across the globe, even in the most remote regions where ground-based cell towers cannot reach. Its goal is to provide true global mobile coverage.
This looks to be a revolutionary advancement toward connecting more people across the world. We eagerly await the rollout of Starlink’s Direct to Cell service in the coming years. Let me know if you have any other questions!
