SpaceX recently launched six “Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities” into orbit. When they come online, these satellites will be able to provide cellular connectivity to all corners of the United States – even to remote locations.
This comes as part of Coverage Above and Beyond, a partnership initiative the company entered into with T-Mobile in 2022. It took a while, but the program is finally paying off. SpaceX explains on its website that these satellites essentially function as cell phone towers thanks to a built-in “eNodeB modem.” The ultimate goal here is to effectively eliminate the existence of dead zones, thus “enabling cell phone connections anywhere on Earth.” Something to keep in mind is that the service is mainly intended for remote locations.
As CEO of SpaceX Elon Musk states on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), the Starlink space towers cannot compete on the same level “with existing terrestrial mobile networks.” It will be good, but not that good.
Falcon 9 launches 21 @Starlink satellites from California, including six with Direct to Cell capabilities → https://t.co/FgiJ7LOYdK pic.twitter.com/IKBkTSB63CJanuary 3, 2024
Test phase
Things will start small. The ability to send text messages will be rolled out later this year. By 2025, users will be able to make calls, send data and connect IoT (Internet of Things) devices, such as smartwatches, to the service. That assumes everything goes according to plan. Both companies have had to overcome several obstacles along the way. It wasn't just these satellites incredibly difficult to design and construction, but government regulators also slowed the process.
They originally planned a beta test of Starlink's remote connectivity in 2023. Of course, that never happened, likely due to the pending FCC (Federal Communications Commission) approval. Fortunately, the FCC gave SpaceX the green light for this are testing their direct-to-cell satellites last December. They have 180 days to complete their testing, so we should see testing begin soon, although it's not known exactly when and we don't know if it will be open to the public.
Plans for expansion
The future looks bright for the initiative. Dr. Sara Spangelo, Senior Director of Satellite Engineering at T-Mobile, said the company plans to “rapidly scale” the program to partners around the world. SpaceX is currently working with telecommunications companies in Canada, Japan, Australia and more to get the service up and running elsewhere. Direct-to-cell connectivity won't be exclusive to the US, but it looks like users there will get it first.
SpaceX won't be alone in this area. Amazon is developing a satellite broadband network called Project Kuiper to compete with Starlink. Rockets carrying prototype Kuipers satellites are expected to lift off in the “first half of 2024.” The European government too looking for a program. At the moment we are looking for the right telecom company to take the lead.
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