Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX has launched Starlink Direct to Cell mobile service offering connectivity via satellites. The service currently allows users to send text without needing a mobile tower.
The Starlink Direct to Cell is currently available to users of T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon customers in the USA. The service is officially called T-Satellite.
T-Mobile, while announcing the service launch, said that it wishes to “eliminate mobile dead zones for good” with 657 Starlink satellites for cellphones. The service has been in beta phase since December 2024 and has already got a base of 1.8 million users.
Starlink Direct-to-Cell to provide SMS, MMS, and short audio clips
It’s said that the T-Satellite Direct-to-Cell Starlink service will provide SMS, MMS, picture messaging, and short audio clips. That is not all. The company will also provide data service on October 01, 2025. The services support devices of both SMS for both Android and iOS platforms.
T-Satellite is a major leap in cellular communication. It ushers in a new era of connectivity where it’s possible to connect without a cellular coverage. It’s potentially life-saving when you are lost somewhere deep in the forest.
SpaceX currently provides broadband internet service via its constellation of satellites. The company plans to tap into the global market beyond the US and Canada and is currently outlining its plans for expansion while seeking approval in many markets including in India. Starlink is also planning on launching satellite internet in Nepal.
Also read: Best 5G Phones In Nepal | Midrange to Flagship | 2025
Satellite connectivity on smartphones is a growing trend
Various smartphone OEMs have begun introducing satellite connectivity on their flagship phones Samsung, Apple, and chipmaker Qualcomm have all unveiled their satellite connectivity. Apple launched the Emergency SOS feature on the iPhone 14 and continued with the iPhone 16 models. Likewise, Samsung announced a two-way satellite communication with 5G NTN technology. US chipmaker Snapdragon has also introduced satellite connectivity that will be used in various smartphones annually.
Another US company AST SpaceMobile said that it made the first-ever satellite call on 5G from a smartphone.
SpaceX’s plan for Starlink mobile service is bold and ambitious while also fascinating given the developments taking place across the world. Satellite communication is on its way to becoming a key sought-after feature on smartphones. Currently, only the top few models come with satellite support. This could trickle down to upper mid-rangers in the next few years. Nepal is in the plan for SpaceX for its satellite service. However, there is Kacific has brought the country’s first-ever satellite internet to Nepal.
In addition to text voice and data, SpaceX plans to add its satellite connectivity support for IoT devices in 2025.
