Starlink ‘Direct to Cell’: SpaceX Unveils Satellite Internet for Phones, What to Expect

Satellite internet for the phone is coming from Starlink and SpaceX, and it was recently confirmed by the company as it launched its dedicated page for the "Direct to Cell" service on its website. The company brought massive details to the service, centering on the arrival of satellite internet for smartphones to directly access, no longer needing other routers or equipment to use.

While satellite internet is the focus of Starlink, this "Direct to Cell" program will bring voice, text, and data available for its future customers all around the globe.

Starlink 'Direct to Cell' Service Unveiled

Starlink launched a new dedicated landing page for its new service called "Direct to Cell," and as the name suggests, this is the connection that would provide connectivity to mobile phones. The company detailed the features and what it is to bring to the world soon, claiming a "ubiquitous coverage" coming for users that would include voice, text, LTE, and IoT experiences soon.

Its first plan is to launch a text messaging service via its satellites that is known for providing internet to current Starlink routers, with this coming by 2024.

On the other hand, voice and LTE will come together and bring their services by 2025, with the company also claiming that in two years, IoT connections will also be part of it.

Direct Access to Satellite Service

SpaceX and Starlink's direct access on its satellite service meant for smartphones will bring a direct connection from its technology in orbit to unmodified devices. This means that any LTE-capable phones will get a chance to connect to Starlink provided that they are part of the program, requiring no hardware or software changes.

Direct to Cell centers on offering "no dead zones," providing a roaming experience globally. Starlink also unveiled its partners from different countries including T-Mobile (USA), Rogers (Canada), KDDI (Japan), Optus (Australia), One NZ (New Zealand), and Salt (Switzerland).

SpaceX's Satellite for Phones

Satellite service and connections for the smartphone is something that has been announced to the public earlier, with the world already waiting for the company to make this feature available for all. Initially, the company announced its first partner for this experience with T-Mobile, one of the country's largest telecommunications companies and service providers for mobile devices.

Earlier this year, it was announced by the pair that it is set to test the new service to mobile phones, with the venture already opening possibilities for massive connectivity for all. This program aims to eliminate the so-called dead zones, which refer to areas that have no nearby cell towers, are hard to reach, or are blocked by various elements in the environment that make it hard to do so.

T-Mobile remains SpaceX's partner in bringing satellite connections to mobile devices, but it does not stop there as SpaceX already revealed its global partners that would take this around the world. The plan centers on its initial launch by 2024 to provide text messaging services for satellites, with its voice, data, and IoT services soon available by 2025.