Elon Musk’s Starlink Launches 1st-Ever Cell Service Satellites

[Hamartia Antidote]

MasOrange to Trial Starlink Direct-to-Cell in Spain

Spanish telco MasOrange will trial Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service under a new agreement with SpaceX announced Monday. The Spanish regulator, the State

www.satellitetoday.com

MasOrange to Trial Starlink Direct-to-Cell in Spain​

Spanish telco MasOrange will trial Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service under a new agreement with SpaceX announced Monday.

The Spanish regulator, the State Secretariat for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure, granted approval for spectrum assigned to MasOrange to be used for Starlink Direct-to-Cell. This is often called supplemental coverage from space (SCS).

MasOrange plans to carry out a technical pilot in the Spanish province of Valladolid. The telco did not specify timing of the trials or what phones are eligible. Users will be able to use data on their devices to use certain applications as well as messaging services. MasOrange said that Starlink Direct-to-Cell will serve as a network complement, particularly in remote, high mountain, or coastal environments.

“We are very pleased to announce this agreement with Starlink, which reinforces our commitment to innovation and to always offering the best services to our customers through the use of all available technologies,” said Meinrad Spenger, CEO of MasOrange.

Ukrainian telco Kyivstar rolled out service late last year, and Virgin Media has a customer rollout planned for 2026 for a new service in the U.K. enabled by Starlink D2C called O2 Satellite.

MasOrange is partially owned by French telco Orange, which recently announced a deal to acquire the remaining 50% stake from Lorca. That purchase is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Orange currently offers a satellite messaging service working with Skylo on certain Google Pixel smartphones.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Walter Isaacson reveals he has Starlink direct to cell on his phone

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[Yasser76]

Walter Isaacson reveals he has Starlink direct to cell on his phone

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I have some exposure to SpaceX via Scottish Mortgages, this will be an insane IPO. My guess is even though valuation of $2 Trillion may be too high, it may still well top out at above $3 Trillion at the end of the first days trading. Then possibly dip again, that is when I intend to buy. Early July should see another boost when Index tracker funds have to buy SpaceX too

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Madagascar prepares to launch Starlink direct-to-cell mobile services - SatellitePro ME

Starlink Direct to Cell uses specially designed satellites that function essentially as cell towers in space to expand terrestrial coverage into otherwise unreached areas.

satelliteprome.com

Madagascar prepares to launch Starlink direct-to-cell mobile services​

Madagascar is preparing to introduce Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite connectivity services as part of a wider African rollout led by SpaceX and telecom operator Airtel Africa, a move expected to significantly improve mobile coverage in remote and underserved regions of the island nation.

The initiative forms part of Airtel Africa’s partnership with SpaceX to deploy Starlink Direct-to-Cell technology across 14 African markets beginning in 2026. Madagascar is among the countries expected to benefit from the satellite-based service, which allows compatible smartphones to connect directly to satellites without requiring additional hardware or ground-based cellular towers.

The technology is designed to extend connectivity to areas where conventional mobile infrastructure is difficult or uneconomical to deploy. According to Airtel Africa, the first phase of the service will support text messaging and selected data applications, with broader voice and broadband capabilities expected to follow as the satellite network expands.

The system will complement existing terrestrial infrastructure while improving resilience during outages and emergencies.

SpaceX has been rapidly scaling its direct-to-device ambitions through Starlink, launching hundreds of specialised satellites capable of communicating directly with standard smartphones. The company first demonstrated the technology in early 2024 by successfully sending text messages through Starlink satellites using mobile spectrum from telecom partners.

Since then, Starlink has expanded partnerships with telecom operators worldwide, including agreements with VEON in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, while Ukraine is also preparing to launch mobile satellite services using the same technology.

Recent testing carried out by Airtel Africa and SpaceX reportedly demonstrated successful messaging services, light-data applications, and mobile financial transactions through direct satellite links in areas lacking terrestrial coverage.

The rollout comes amid accelerating investment in satellite-to-phone connectivity globally, with SpaceX continuing to expand the Starlink constellation following regulatory approvals for thousands of additional satellites dedicated to next-generation communications services.

Executives at Airtel Africa have described the initiative as a major step toward improving service availability across the continent, while SpaceX has increasingly positioned Starlink Mobile — formerly known as Direct-to-Cell — as a complementary layer to traditional telecom networks rather than a replacement for them.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

I need to go find the link again. T-Mobile is supposedly offering the service on their phones and network.

If A&T does, then I am set wherever in the world I happen to be at the moment.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Globe achieves first Philippine video call via Starlink direct-to-cell service

Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. on Thursday demonstrated its first direct-to-cell (DTC) service with Starlink, linking Obando, Bulacan to Basilan through a video call and short message service (SMS).

www.gmanetwork.com

Globe achieves first Philippine video call via Starlink direct-to-cell service​

Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. on Thursday demonstrated its first direct-to-cell (DTC) service with Starlink, linking Obando, Bulacan to Basilan through a video call and short message service (SMS).

According to Globe, a video call was made between Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda, who was in a remote community school some 30 minutes by boat from the Isabela Port in Basilan, and Undersecretary June Vincent Manuel Gaudan, who was in Obando, Bulacan.

The call was made during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Brigada Eskwela visit to the Binuangan Elementary School in Bulacan on Thursday morning.

“Connectivity becomes even more meaningful when it reaches communities that have long remained underserved,” Globe president and chief executive officer Carl Cruz said in an emailed statement.

“Satellite-to-mobile technology can help strengthen digital inclusion by supporting access to communication services in areas where traditional infrastructure alone may not be enough,” he added.

Starlink’s DTC service is a satellite-to-mobile wireless technology developed by SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company. It provides connectivity in remote areas where traditional terrestrial networks are unavailable, using LTE-enabled phones that connect directly to satellites acting as “cell towers in space.”

Globe chief commercial officer Darius Delgado said Starlink Mobile will initially be made available for Android users and offered in two packages — P99 for 30 days and P299 for 90 days — starting in June.

Globe completed its first live trial of Starlink Mobile in March, with testing conducted in parts of Rizal, Batangas, and Bataan. The company said the tests confirmed the service’s feasibility.

The partnership was first announced in January and aims to expand mobile signal and internet access to underserved and remote areas, particularly across the Philippines’ more than 7,600 islands.

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[Hamartia Antidote]

Starlink to trial Direct-to-Cell in Malaysia: Works with normal 4G phones, no satellite phone required - SoyaCincau

Malaysia may soon trial Starlink Direct-to-Cell, enabling existing 4G phones to connect via satellite and extend mobile coverage to areas without telco towers.

soyacincau.com

Starlink to trial Direct-to-Cell in Malaysia: Works with normal 4G phones, no satellite phone required​

Malaysia may soon conduct trials of Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell (D2C) satellite technology, which aims to extend mobile coverage to areas without existing telco towers.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil revealed that Starlink representatives have informed him of their intention to conduct a Direct-to-Cell trial in Malaysia. The technology is seen as a potential solution to mobile dead zones in rural and underserved areas.

According to Fahmi, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has also invited local mobile network operators to explore the technology with Starlink.

If implemented, Direct-to-Cell could provide mobile connectivity in locations without existing telecommunications towers and in areas where building new towers is not economically viable due to the small number of users.

Fahmi added that the satellite-based solution could be deployed much faster and at a lower cost compared to building new telecommunications towers, which typically take between 18 and 24 months to complete.

What is Starlink Direct-to-Cell?​

Unlike Starlink’s satellite broadband service that requires a dedicated satellite dish, Starlink Direct-to-Cell works with existing 4G LTE smartphones and doesn’t require any additional hardware or a dedicated satellite phone.

Instead of providing internet directly to a satellite dish, Direct-to-Cell essentially extends your mobile operator’s network from space.

When your phone is outside your telco’s mobile tower coverage, it can connect directly to a Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite in Low Earth Orbit. The satellite acts like a 4G LTE base station in space and connects back to your mobile operator’s core network using its existing licensed LTE spectrum.

This means users can continue using their existing SIM card, phone number and compatible 4G smartphone, while the mobile operator retains control of the network.

SpaceX has already deployed more than 650 first-generation Direct-to-Cell satellites, forming one of the world’s largest space-based 4G LTE networks designed to extend mobile coverage beyond the reach of terrestrial cell towers.

It’s next generation of Starlink Mobile satellites (V2) aims deliver full cellular coverage with the highest performing satellite-to-mobile network every built. Utilising custom Space-X designed silicon and phased array antennas, the new satellites are designed to support thousands of spatial beams and higher bandwidth, which would enable about 20x the throughput of its current first-generation satellites.

Starlink claims with its V2 connectivity, telcos can invest less in terrestrial networks while enabling seamless service in rural areas and enable total coverage everywhere.

Designed to complement existing mobile networks​

Starlink Direct-to-Cell is not intended to replace existing 4G and 5G networks. Instead, it acts as a complementary coverage layer for areas where deploying conventional telecommunications infrastructure is impractical or too costly.

Since the satellites orbit about 500 to 600km above Earth, users will generally require a clear view of the sky. The service is primarily designed for outdoor connectivity in rural areas, highways, offshore locations. It isn’t designed to provide indoor coverage.

Due to the greater distance between a smartphone and a satellite compared to a conventional 4G or 5G tower, lower LTE frequency bands are generally preferred for better reception.

In Malaysia, Direct-to-Cell would work best with lower-band spectrum such as 900MHz or 1800MHz. It is likely that the actual spectrum used will depend on the participating telco and subject to regulatory approvals.

Of course, users shouldn’t expect the same speeds and latency as a conventional 4G network. Instead, it is intended to provide essential connectivity such as messaging, voice calls, emergency communications and limited mobile data when users are off the grid. This makes it particularly crucial during emergencies, natural disasters or when travelling in remote locations.

Southeast Asia’s first Starlink Direct-to-Cell rollout in the Philippines​

In our region, Globe Telecom is the first telco in Southeast Asia to roll out Starlink Direct-to-Cell services in the Philippines. The feature is available on both prepaid and postpaid plans which start from PHP99 (RM6.60) for a 2GB plan with 100 satellite text to all networks, valid for 30 days.

The service is aimed at extending mobile coverage to remote islands and underserved communities where deploying mobile infrastructure is difficult or uneconomical. Similar partnerships have also been announced in countries including the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Japan.

According to a recent Ookla analysis, Direct-to-Cell adoption is gaining momentum across the Asia-Pacific region, with the Philippines accounting for the largest share of detected Starlink Direct-to-Cell users among APAC markets monitored during the second quarter of 2026.

If Starlink’s proposed trial proceeds, our local telcos could tap on the satellite technology to extend mobile coverage to underserved and unserved rural areas, remote highways and offshore locations.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Starlink Mobile Lands in Italy: 5 Details That Matter

Starlink Mobile is officially coming to Italy. On July 16, SpaceX's Starlink announced a partnership with FASTWEB — operating as Fastweb+Vodafone — to bring Direct to Cell satellite connectivity to Italian customers in areas where traditional mobile networks simply don't reach. Here's what the...

www.basenor.com

Starlink Mobile Lands in Italy: 5 Details That Matter​

Starlink Mobile is officially coming to Italy. On July 16, SpaceX's Starlink announced a partnership with FASTWEB — operating as Fastweb+Vodafone — to bring Direct to Cell satellite connectivity to Italian customers in areas where traditional mobile networks simply don't reach. Here's what the deal actually means

1. This Is Italy's First Direct to Cell Pilot​

The Fastweb partnership marks the first time Starlink's Direct to Cell (D2C) technology will be tested in Italy. Rather than requiring a dedicated satellite dish, D2C uses Starlink's low-Earth-orbit satellites — sitting roughly 360 km above Earth — as space-based cell towers. Standard 4G phones connect directly to the constellation without any hardware modifications. For Italy, that's a meaningful shift: the country has significant rural and mountainous terrain where terrestrial cell infrastructure is either uneconomical or physically impractical to build.

2. The Apennines Are the Opening Test Bed​

According to reporting from mondomobileweb.it, the initial experimentation will take place in the Apennine mountains of central Italy — exactly the kind of terrain where hikers, rural residents, and emergency responders lose signal entirely. If the pilot performs well in that environment, the case for broader rollout across Italy's coastline and southern regions becomes much easier to make. The Apennines are a credible stress test: high elevation, complex topography, and sparse population density all at once.

3. Your Existing Phone Works — No New Hardware Required​

One of the more practical details: standard 4G devices connect to the service without any modifications. Customers won't need a new SIM, a satellite-specific handset, or any additional equipment. The hybrid network is designed to automatically switch to satellite coverage when the terrestrial signal drops. That seamless handoff is the core value proposition — users in a coverage gap shouldn't need to do anything differently. WhatsApp, Google Maps, SMS, and MMS are all supported services in the initial rollout, according to telecompaper.com.

4. Traditional Phone Calls Aren't Supported Yet​

This is the limitation worth flagging clearly: traditional voice calls via the telephone network — including emergency calls — are not currently supported through the satellite connection. The service covers data and messaging, not voice. That's a real constraint for anyone thinking of this as a full safety net in remote areas. Emergency services in Italy still depend on terrestrial coverage or dedicated satellite phones. Starlink's D2C technology has been working toward voice support, but it isn't part of this pilot as announced.

5. FASTWEB Has Been Circling This Deal Since March​

The partnership didn't come out of nowhere. Fastweb was briefly listed as a Starlink Mobile partner as far back as March 2026, before that mention was quietly removed — likely while the formal agreement was being finalized. The July 16 announcement represents the official, confirmed version of what was apparently already in negotiation. For Fastweb+Vodafone, adding satellite fallback coverage strengthens its competitive position in a market where rural connectivity gaps are a known weakness across all Italian operators.

The pilot's success in the Apennines will likely determine how quickly Fastweb pushes D2C coverage to other underserved regions. For now, the service is a meaningful first step — and a sign that Starlink's carrier partnership model is continuing to expand across Europe. Follow our SpaceX coverage for updates as the pilot progresses.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Bangladesh begins Starlink-powered D2C mobile service trial

Bangladesh formally began the trial run of satellite-based Direct-to-Cell (D2C) mobile services in some remote areas today, marking a major step towards expanding connectivity to hard-to-reach regions through space-based telecommunications technology. The trial, being conducted by Banglalink using

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh begins Starlink-powered D2C mobile service trial​

Bangladesh formally began the trial run of satellite-based Direct-to-Cell (D2C) mobile services in some remote areas today, marking a major step towards expanding connectivity to hard-to-reach regions through space-based telecommunications technology.

The trial, being conducted by Banglalink using Starlink technology in Bandarban and on the Sandwip Island, follows government approval for a two-month Proof of Concept (PoC) operation in network-deprived areas under the supervision of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

The government has approved a two-month trial of satellite-based D2C mobile services by Banglalink in areas without conventional cellular network coverage.



The approval was granted by the Post and Telecommunications Division following a proposal from the BTRC, according to an official order issued on May 12.

Under the initiative, Banglalink will conduct a PoC trial for D2C services using satellite connectivity in remote areas lacking mobile network coverage.

The approval will remain valid for only two months from the date the BTRC issues the formal permission.

Infrastructure project reports


The ministry clarified that the trial approval would not be considered permission for commercial operations, nor would it guarantee future approval for commercial deployment of the technology.

The BTRC has been instructed to submit a detailed assessment report within three months, taking into account technical, operational, and regulatory aspects of the trial.

According to the order, BTRC will closely monitor the trial both online and offline, including traffic, signalling, authentication, and spectrum usage.

The regulator will also collect necessary technical information from Banglalink throughout the trial period.

The service will be treated as a supplementary service under Banglalink's mobile operator licence, with the operator bearing full responsibility for the trial and related operations.

As part of the trial arrangement, Banglalink will temporarily be allowed to use its allocated spectrum in the 1920-1925 MHz and 2110-2115 MHz bands on the Starlink network under special consideration.

The ministry, however, said the temporary approval would not set any precedent regarding spectrum ownership, transfer, or sharing in the future.

The permission will automatically expire once the PoC ends.

The government will also allocate a temporary Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) code to Banglalink solely for the trial period.

The order further stated that the service must remain fully compliant with the country's lawful interception framework and provide necessary technical facilities to law enforcement agencies upon request.

Before launching the trial, Banglalink and Starlink submitted a detailed agreement to the BTRC for approval.

The ministry specified that the D2C service would operate only in locations where no cellular mobile coverage exists.

Once conventional network coverage becomes available, users must automatically reconnect to terrestrial mobile networks.

The order also emphasised that all national security, interconnection, and network infrastructure-related conditions applicable to the trial must be strictly ensured under BTRC supervision.

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দেশে প্রথমবারের মত আসছে স্যাটেলাইট ভিত্তিক মোবাইল সেবা | Starlink | Somoy TV​

 

[ST1976]

SpaceX to circumvent cellphone towers without any phone modification needed.

Mobile Phone Satellite Connectivity: What To Know About Elon Musk’s Starlink Cell Service

Starlink will test its Direct to Cell service in the U.S.

www.forbes.com

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has launched its first set of Starlink satellites to provide cell phone service anywhere in the world, the company announced Wednesday, a milestone the billionaire warned can’t compete with terrestrial networks but will help plug cellular dead zones and boost global mobile connectivity.

Six of the 21 Starlink satellites launched on Tuesday are capable of connecting directly to cell phones, SpaceX said.

They are the firm’s first ever direct-to-cell satellites and are designed to function as “a cellphone tower in space,” according to Starlink’s website.

SpaceX said the satellites will be first used to test its Direct to Cell service in the United States, where the company has partnered with T-Mobile.

Once activated, the service will connect with ordinary, unmodified phones without the need for extra equipment so long as they are 4G LTE-compatible, a standard T-Mobile said covered the “vast majority of smartphones” already on its network back in 2022.
Starlink said it plans to roll out a text messaging service using the technology later this year and broader voice, data and IoT—the network of connected devices called the internet of things—services in 2025.

Musk celebrated the successful launch and said the satellites “will allow for mobile phone connectivity anywhere on Earth.” However, he noted there are limitations to the technology. “While this is a great solution for locations with no cellular connectivity, it is not meaningfully competitive with existing terrestrial cellular networks,” Musk said, pointing to the relatively limited bandwidth that is spread over a large area. Starlink also notes the satellites will let users connect “wherever you can see the sky.”

WHAT TO WATCH FOR​

Starlink ultimately plans to roll out its Direct to Cell service to customers on networks worldwide and said customers would stay “seamlessly connected.” In addition to T-Mobile in the U.S., the company has already announced partnerships with carriers worldwide including Optus in Australia, Rogers in Canada, One NZ in New Zealand, KDDI in Japan, Salt in Switzerland and Entel in Chile and Peru. It is not clear when these services will be rolled out or what specifics there may be on connectivity at home and abroad.

KEY BACKGROUND​

While it has revolutionized how we communicate, wireless technology has its limitations and even highly developed nations have areas where signal quality is poor or non-existent, an area known as a signal dead zone. The issue can be particularly acute in remote areas or those with tricky terrain where geography can make transmitting a signal difficult. Starlink, which hopes to offer high-speed internet service to anywhere in the world and has already used its satellites to connect citizens in war torn Ukraine, hopes to eliminate dead zones by beaming signal down from space.

FORBES VALUATION​

$251.3 billion. That’s how much Forbes estimates Musk is worth. He is the richest person in the world. He leads French luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault, the world’s second richest person, by around $60 billion. His wealth largely comes from the series of companies he cofounded and runs, notably electric carmaker Tesla, SpaceX (which runs Starlink), brain implant company Neuralink and tunneling enterprise Boring Company. Musk also runs X, an aspirant everything app he controversially acquired as Twitter for $44 billion in 2022.

BIG NUMBER​

42,000. That’s how many satellites Musk has said he hopes will be in Starlink’s constellation. The company is currently reportedly working towards a constellation of 12,000 satellites and reports compiling launch data suggest more than 5,000 were already in orbit by the end of 2023.

Satellites by Country: 80+ Nations Ranked by Fleet

Every country with satellites in orbit, ranked by active fleet. Live counts, mega-constellation breakdown, debris responsibility and detailed country profiles.

orbitalradar.com

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Just returned from two weeks on post at Camp Perry, OH. The section of the post I stayed at does not have WiFi service. It is currently limited to the east side of the post.

While visiting with others, I noticed quite a few Starlink terminals amongst the various competitors. Maybe a dozen of so over the course of two weeks.

 

[Watandar]

Just returned from two weeks on post at Camp Perry, OH. The section of the post I stayed at does not have WiFi service. It is currently limited to the east side of the post.

While visiting with others, I noticed quite a few Starlink terminals amongst the various competitors. Maybe a dozen of so over the course of two weeks.

Huh ? Are you in Reserves or National Guard ?