Elon Musk’s SpaceX Launches 1st Ever ‘Direct to Cell’ Starlink Satellites With T-Mobile

Elon Musk’s SpaceX on Jan. 2 launched its first ever Starlink satellites capable of providing mobile phone service for customers of T-Mobile and a string of other carriers, even in remote locations.

SpaceX said it launched a total of 21 satellites from its Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The launch included the first six Starlink satellites with “Direct to Cell capabilities” enabling mobile network operators around the world to provide “seamless global access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters without changing hardware or firmware. ”

The move is part of SpaceX and T-Mobile’s efforts to provide cellphone users with network access in remote parts of the United States, including locations previously unreachable by traditional cell signals.

Known as the “Coverage Above and Beyond” partnership, the telecommunications company and American spacecraft manufacturer initially announced the joint effort in August 2022.

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