SpaceX has completed the deployment of the Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite network

SpaceX has taken a significant step toward global mobile device connectivity by completing the deployment of its first Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite network. On Wednesday, the company launched 20 satellites using a Falcon 9 rocket, 13 of which are capable of directly linking to cell phones without additional equipment.

SpaceX’s Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite network is the first of its kind in the world.

The Revolution in Mobile Device Connectivity

This new network comes after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved an agreement between SpaceX and T-Mobile, first announced in 2022. The goal of the partnership is to create a network that allows phones to stay connected even in the most remote corners of the world, including oceanic expanses.

The satellites operate as «a space cell tower,» providing integration with existing mobile networks similar to standard roaming partners.

Direct-to-Cell network features

SpaceX emphasized that these satellites are immediately connected via laser feedback to the overall Starlink network, eliminating «dead spots» and enabling communications in critical situations. Earlier this year, the company successfully sent and received the first text messages over T-Mobile’s network.

SpaceX’s first text messages were sent and received over T-Mobile’s network.

There are currently 6,799 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, of which about 330 can already communicate directly with mobile devices. According to Ilon Musk, existing satellites will provide data speeds of about 10 Mbps per beam, and future versions will have significantly more bandwidth.

According to Ilon Musk.

Expanding opportunities for global operators

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Although the launch is focused on a partnership with T-Mobile, SpaceX is opening up access to the technology to carriers around the world. The company’s senior director, Ben Longmire, noted that the satellites are already «ready to go» for any telecom operator.

The company said the satellites are already «ready to go» for any telecom operator.

Plans for 2024

Consumers can expect the launch of Starlink Direct-to-Cell service as early as next year. This promises to be the start of a new era of mobile communications, where dead zone will be a relic of the past and network access will be ubiquitous and reliable.

And it will be the beginning of a new era of mobile communications.