SpaceX Completes First Starlink Direct-to-Cell Satellite Network

The new constellation enables unmodified mobile phones to access internet in remote areas, with text messaging available now and voice and data planned for 2025.

SpaceX launched 20 Starlink satellites on December 4, 2024, completing the first orbital shell of its direct-to-cell network.
The service allows standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without requiring specialized hardware or apps.
Initial functionality includes text messaging, with voice, data, and IoT device support planned for rollout in 2025.
Current bandwidth per beam is approximately 10 Mbps, with future upgrades expected to significantly enhance capabilities.
The service partners with carriers in multiple countries, including the U.S., Japan, and Canada, aiming to eliminate connectivity dead zones globally.