On January 2nd,at 7:44 p.m. PT, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched 21 Starlink V2 Mini satellites to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. A pivotal aspect of this launch was the deployment of the first six Starlink satellites equipped with Direct-to-Cell technology.

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Notably, this launch marked the maiden flight for the first-stage booster supporting the mission with tail number B1082-1. Impressively, the booster executed a flawless landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship stationed in the ocean, approximately 8-minutes after liftoff. It marked SpaceX’s 260 landing of an orbital-class rocket. 

These satellites equipped with Direct-to-Cell capabilities feature an advanced modem that essentially acts as a cellphone tower in space, enabling mobile network operators worldwide to deliver “seamless global access to texting, calling, and browsing.” This access is available regardless of location, whether on land, lakes, or coastal waters, without requiring any changes to hardware or firmware. The company shared an incredible video of the satellites being deployed to Low Earth Orbit, linked below.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) played a crucial role in this development by granting SpaceX an “experimental Special Temporary Authorization” (STA) to conduct tests for its satellite-to-cellular Starlink system. The authorized trial encompasses over two dozen locations across the United States and involves beaming Starlink satellite connectivity to unmodified T-Mobile phones on the ground. SpaceX has been granted a 180-day window, until June 14, 2024, to complete the testing program according to the FCC approval document.

SpaceX elaborated to the FCC that the Starlink satellites with Direct-to-Cell capability house an advanced eNodeB modem onboard, mimicking a cellphone tower in space. This allows for network integration similar to a standard roaming partner, eliminating deadzones and ensuring continuous connectivity.

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In the upcoming satellite-to-cellular tests, SpaceX plans to leverage 840 Starlink satellites, each acting as an orbiting cell tower, to transmit connectivity to 2,000 test devices, including smartphones, across the United States. The testing locations, initially targeting 13, now include 12 “radioastronomy sites” in areas such as Mountain View, California; Kansas City, Kansas; Redmond, Washington; and Dallas, Texas.

Initial direct-to-cell tests will concentrate on text messaging with plans to roll out voice and data services until 2025. The FCC’s STA empowers Starlink to demonstrate its technology while allowing the commission to oversee operations. The tests aim to assess the system’s impact on radio interference across the U.S., addressing concerns from other carriers and satellite providers.

Moreover, global cellular providers utilizing Direct-to-Cell for reciprocal access in partner nations include: T-Mobile in the U.S., Rogers in Canada, KDDI in Japan, Optus in Australia, One NZ in New Zealand, Salt in Switzerland, and Entel in Chile and Peru. This development signifies a significant step toward revolutionizing global connectivity.

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