Elon Musk Brings Satellite Internet Directly to Your Smartphone

Elon Musk and SpaceX are revolutionizing telecommunications with Starlink Cellular, a service that allows smartphones to connect directly to the internet via satellite. This promises smooth and stable online experiences anywhere on Earth, even in the most remote areas. With a partnership with T-Mobile, Starlink Cellular is set to completely transform how we use the internet.

“The direct smartphone-to-Starlink internet service will operate exclusively with T-Mobile in the U.S. during the first year, then expand to other carriers. We’ll start by working with a specific carrier in each country, but we hope to collaborate with all carriers eventually,” billionaire Elon Musk said on X on September 1.

Earlier this year, SpaceX, founded by Musk, applied for a license to test Starlink’s direct smartphone connectivity, known as Starlink Cellular. Musk mentioned that this service will enable mobile phone connectivity everywhere on Earth.

“This is a great solution for areas with no mobile connectivity, but it’s not meant to compete with existing ground-based cell towers,” Musk explained.

On August 23, SpaceX informed the U.S. government about its collaboration with T-Mobile to provide satellite coverage and emphasized their readiness for commercial service. The company also stated that it has launched nearly 130 satellites in the past eight months and has plans to launch more.

As of mid-October 2023, SpaceX reported that Starlink has over 400,000 users worldwide. There are currently 3,000 Starlink satellites orbiting the Earth, providing broadband connectivity to users, particularly in rural and rugged areas.

Previously, Musk declared Starlink's goal to have 42,000 satellites in its space internet network by 2027. To date, SpaceX has produced over one million user terminals. The company's satellite internet currently delivers speeds of 50-150 Mbps, reaching up to 175 Mbps in some regions.