Elon Musk’s SpaceX Will Allow Smartphones to Directly Connect to Starlink Broadband in Coming Years: Report

SpaceX has received the nod to launch an additional 7,500 second generation satellites over the next 10 years.

Written by Manas Mitul, Edited by Richa Sharma | Updated: 16 December 2022 09:45 IST

Elon Musk’s SpaceX Will Allow Smartphones to Directly Connect to Starlink Broadband in Coming Years: Report

Photo Credit: Bloomberg

Elon Musk speaks during a news conference with Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile at SpaceX Starbase facility

Highlights

SpaceX has partnered with T-Mobile to provide Starlink internet
Elon Musk’s company received the go-ahead to launch 7,500 satellites
SpaceX’s Starlink has been providing internet in Ukraine during the war

Starlink, SpaceX's satellite-based broadband internet system, could become much more accessible in the coming years. The Elon Musk-owned company has reportedly received the go-ahead to launch an additional 7,500 satellites, expanding the Starlink broadband to over 10,000 low-orbiting satellites over the next decade. The new Starlink satellites will help users connect to the satellite-based broadband service directly via their smartphones without the need for any special equipment.

According to a report in CNET, SpaceX expects to offer the service to users with the help of US network carrier T-Mobile. The spacecraft manufacturer reportedly filed an application to the US Federal Communications Commission on December 6 for permission to fit a number of its Starlink satellites with “direct-to-cellular" hardware. This will allow smartphone users to directly avail Starlink's broadband services once it goes live.

Back in August, SpaceX and T-Mobile had joined hands to provide mobile users internet access in remote parts of the US. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and T-Mobile chief Mike Sievert had announced their partnership at SpaceX's Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. The endeavour would connect cell phones directly to SpaceX's satellites, thereby eliminating the need for cell towers. It was then reported that the service would begin with text message support from the second half of 2023, with voice and data services arriving later.

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SpaceX has now got the nod to launch an additional 7,500 satellites over the next 10 years, the CNET report said. These second generation of Starlink satellites will add to the 3,500 first generation satellites already in orbit. In August, SpaceX launched Falcon 9 rocket with 46 Starlink satellites in tow to the low-Earth orbit.

Musk Says SpaceX Cannot Indefinitely Fund Starlink Internet Service in Ukraine

SpaceX's Starlink has also been noted with providing satellite broadband in parts of Ukraine amidst the ongoing war. The country, however, had said last month that it was also seeking additional providers for sustained internet access in the country.

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Further reading: Elon Musk, SpaceX, Starlink, Satellite Broadband, T-Mobile

Manas Mitul

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In his time as a journalist, Manas Mitul has written on a wide spectrum of beats including politics, culture and sports. He enjoys reading, walking around in museums and rewatching films. Talk to Manas about football and tennis, but maybe don’t bring up his video game backlog. More