SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that Starlink's Direct-to-Cell satellite service will enter beta testing on January 27.
The announcement, posted on X, marks a major step toward achieving global mobile connectivity without relying on conventional ground-based cell towers.
"Starlink direct from satellite to cell phone Internet connection starts beta test in three days," Musk wrote on X.
A revolution in mobile communication
The Direct-to-Cell satellite service is aimed at letting mobile phones connect directly with satellites, skipping the traditional cellular infrastructure.
This could revolutionize communication, allowing users to text, call, and browse the internet from anywhere in the world.
It would be especially useful for people living in remote or isolated areas that lack access to regular cell towers.
No new hardware required for Starlink's service
Interestingly, users won't need new phones or extra hardware to avail of this service as it works with existing devices.
The beta testing phase is viewed as a critical milestone for SpaceX in its mission to expand Starlink's services.
The main objective with this development is to address the ongoing issue of limited connectivity in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The launch of next-generation Starlink satellites could further boost speeds, possibly exceeding 2Gbps, marking a promising development in global telecommunications sector.
SpaceX's experience instrumental in deploying direct-to-cell satellites
SpaceX has leveraged its experience in building and launching cutting-edge rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink satellites with Direct-to-Cell capability at scale.
The satellites were first launched on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, followed by Starship launches.
As soon as they reach orbit, the satellites connect over laser backhaul to the Starlink constellation, providing global connectivity.
Source: news bytes app
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
