starlink has launched its plan to bring satellite internet to mobile phones. In the early hours of this Wednesday, SpaceX launched 21 new satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Among them, the first 6 that will provide connectivity to smartphones through technology Direct to Cell.
This first batch of satellite equipment will be part of the initial tests that will be carried out in the United States in conjunction with the T-Mobile network. However, the goal of Elon Musk’s firm is to expand the service globally as quickly as possible. That is why agreements have already been announced with other international mobile telephone operators.
At the end of last November, Starlink requested authorization from the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin a 180-day trial. The company’s intention was to use 840 satellites from the Starlink constellation to bring internet access to about 2,000 mobile phones. Of the total number of devices in orbit, about 60 would be continuously providing connectivity to the devices in question.
Starlink intended to start testing on December 10, but the FCC authorization It only arrived on the 14th of that month.. This postponed the launch of the first satellites integrated with Direct to Cell technology, which have only now been able to be sent to low Earth orbit with a SpaceX Falcon 9.
Starlink takes the first step to bring its satellite internet to mobile phones
Both SpaceX and Elon Musk have taken advantage of the occasion to celebrate the launch of the plan to bring satellite internet to any smartphone on the planet. “The six Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capability on this mission will boost global connectivity and help eliminate dead zones,” the aerospace company said. on X (Twitter).
The magnate, for his part, offered more details about the initial operation of this technology. And although he clarified that data transfer speed will be lowmaintained that it will be very useful in areas where there is usually no coverage.
“This will allow mobile phone connectivity anywhere on Earth. Please note that [Direct to Cell] only supports around 7 Mb per broadcast [de datos] and the emissions are very large, so while it is an excellent solution for locations without cellular connectivity, it is not significantly competitive with existing terrestrial cellular networks,” the businessman explained.
Starlink’s plan to bring its satellite internet to mobile phones is very ambitious. Once the testing period ends in the United States, Elon Musk’s firm intends to expand this feature to other countries. The idea is that starting this year it can be used to send and receive text messages. However, the aim is to expand voice and data capabilities, and allow the connection of IoT devices. If all goes well, this will happen from 2025.
How Direct to Cell works
Satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities have been developed by SpaceX and incorporate a state-of-the-art eNodeB modem. According to Starlink, this allows them to function as a cell tower directly from space. This means that any modern smartphone with access to LTE networks can connect directly to satellite internet, without requiring software or hardware modifications.
Likewise, the Starlink satellite constellation can connect with ground stations and Splice your satellite internet with the networks of associated operators. This will allow users to always stay connected with texts, calls and data, even if they are in an area where their provider does not offer coverage.
In addition to T-Mobile in the United States, Starlink already works with six others telcos international. We talk about Rogers (Canada), Salt (Swiss), Entel (Chili), KDDI (Japan), Optus (Australia) and OneNZ (New Zealand). Mobile phone companies that use Direct to Cell will have “reciprocal global access in all partner countries,” Elon Musk explained.