The number of users of the “Starlink” satellite internet service continues to increase, and currently it is used by more than 1.5 million people in almost 70 countries of the world, including Latvia. As it continues to develop the service, SpaceX hopes to launch a Direct-to-Cell satellite cellular service next year that will allow users to make calls and send text messages no matter where they are in the world.
It is expected that the new communication options will reach users gradually. Initially, or in 2024, the service would work for free with SMS, MMS and individual messaging apps. In 2025, however, the company plans to start offering voice and data services, as well as IoT functions. The connection is supposed to be established using the LTE standard.
Users will be able to make calls, send text messages, browse the web, whether on land, sea, mountains, etc. This also means that it will be possible to communicate in emergency situations, which Apple currently offers with the “Emergency SOS” function. But unlike Apple, the Starlink Direct To Cell service won’t require any special hardware. The new “V2” satellites, which the company began orbiting in the middle of this year, will essentially act as cell towers. Therefore, if the sky is half clear, it should be no problem to connect to any mobile device that supports at least 4G.
Starlink has signed contracts with several mobile operators around the world. One of the first with which cooperation was established is T-Mobile. The company wants to use the Starlink satellites to significantly increase mobile coverage in the US and hopes to provide a direct connection to the V2 satellites as early as next year.
2023-10-15 08:00:00
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