Written by Kelly Hill
Starlink is planning to expand its satellite-to-cellular-phone services from emergency texting to include voice, data and IoT service, starting in 2025.
A Starlink website promoting the LEO satellite company’s Direct to Cell services promises “ubiquitous coverage” and “seamless access to text, voice, and data for LTE phones across the globe.”
Starlink has already made announcements regarding the availability of satellite-based emergency SMS capabilities for unmodified cellular phones, in partnership with carriers like T-Mobile US. The partnership with T-Mo, unveiled in August 2022, also involves a spectrum-sharing deal and looks ahead to a “Starlink V2” (Starlink Version 1 is the existing LEO network for broadband service), which will consist of a new 5G network using a section of T-Mobile US’ midband spectrum, broadcast using specially-equipped Starlink satellites and compatible with existing 5G smartphones, the companies said. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk estimated that Starlink V2 will someday deliver download speeds of “two to four megabits per cell zone. So that’s thousands of voice calls, and millions of text messages.”
At the time, the companies expected a beta service to be available in select areas by the end of this year, after planned satellite launches by SpaceX. Starlink’s website indicates that it anticipates a texting service to launch in 2024.
