After a long wait, SpaceX has officially received approval from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy Starlink service directly to phones through cooperation with carrier T-Mobile.
The plan was first introduced in the summer of 2022, with the expectation of being operational in 2023. However, it was not until late 2024 that the project received legal approval.
The move marks a major step for Starlink in entering the U.S. market ahead of its competitors. While direct-to-phone satellite services have been rolled out by companies like Lynk, they have yet to have a commercial partner in the U.S.
SpaceX's use of special wireless bands, in conjunction with T-Mobile, will allow users to use compatible phones to communicate even when there is a lack of ground-based signal.
However, implementing the service was not simple. Complex technical problems involved synchronizing the phone with the "signal mast" on the satellite moving at thousands of kilometers per hour were raised.
SpaceX has largely solved this challenge, though, as demonstrated by a successful video call six months ago. In emergencies like Hurricanes Helene and Milton, direct satellite-to-phone connections have been activated to help isolated areas.
The FCC also highlighted the benefits of the service, particularly in terms of increasing access to emergency services in areas where terrestrial networks are not available. This allows people to call or text 911 even in disaster conditions.
Another advantage SpaceX has is its ability to deploy satellites at altitudes ranging from 340 km to 360 km, close to the orbital limits of the International Space Station. However, deployments at altitudes lower than 400 km require close coordination with NASA to ensure safety.
Despite overcoming objections from competitors like Amazon Kuiper, DISH, Omnispace, and TerreStar, SpaceX still has to address the feedback to meet the FCC’s requirements. This is not only a step forward for SpaceX, but also opens a new era of global Internet connectivity.
