The latest batch of SpaceX satellites to reach orbit included six Starlinks going directly to the cell. SpaceX is preparing to test the ability of Starlink satellites to connect directly to mobile phones. The company aims to expand connectivity reach beyond traditional cell signals. Here are the details…
Starlink satellites will now reach mobile phones!
On Tuesday, SpaceX launched several satellites into orbit with its Falcon 9 rocket. 21 Starlink satellites were launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. These satellites are very important for Starlink. This batch includes the first six Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell connectivity.
In December, Elon Musk’s private space venture Starlink set out to create connections between satellites and regular cell phones. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted SpaceX a temporary license to test the new satellite technology with 2,000 testers and 840 satellites for six months.
The company has partnered with T-Mobile, which held open invitations to various global providers. To date, five companies have chosen this option: Rogers in Canada, KDDI in Japan, Optus in Australia, One NZ in New Zealand and Salt in Switzerland.
SpaceX is testing six satellites to enable mobile network operators around the world to provide uninterrupted global access to messaging, calling and browsing wherever you are. It equipped the satellites with a space-based cellular broadband network for this global access network. However, only US users will have access to this feature for now.
Thus, SpaceX plans to place real cell phone towers in space. Thus, it wants to eliminate the need for additional hardware on the ground to perform a call. This will expand cell service in dead areas beyond the range of cellular towers. The FCC is still working to develop a regulatory framework for direct-to-cell satellites. But many companies, like SpaceX, hope to get into the technology early.
{{user}} {{datetime}}
{{text}}