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

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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.

 

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SpaceX details Starlink-for-phones plan, launching in 2024

Cell phone towers in space could soon be connecting to your normal smartphone.

arstechnica.com

Cell phone towers in space could soon be connecting to your normal smartphone.​

Starlink's website update is revealing a bit more about its plans for a satellite-delivered cell phone service. The new page for "Starlink Direct to Cell" promises "ubiquitous coverage" from "cellphone towers in space" that will work over bog-standard LTE. The current timeline claims there will be text service starting in 2024, voice and data in 2025, and "IoT" service in 2025.

Today satellite phone connectivity still requires giant, purpose-built hardware, like the old-school Iridium network phones. If you're only looking for emergency texting, you can also make do with Apple's introduction of the barely there connectivity paradigm, requiring being inside a connectivity window, holding up a phone, and following a signal-targeting app. Starlink wants to bring full-blown space connectivity to normal smartphone hardware.

Starlink satellites with LTE modems will beam Internet directly to your smartphone.

The plan for Starlink Direct to Cell is different thanks to a lot of foundational improvements over what's currently available. First, those other two networks are in a higher orbit: the iPhone's Globalstar network is at 1,400 km above Earth, and Iridium is at 781 km. Starlink currently operates a lot closer to Earth, in the 550 km range. The other major shift is that SpaceX is developing the world's largest rocket, Starship, and having the world's largest rocket means you get to launch the world's biggest satellites. Bigger satellites can involve bigger, more sensitive antennas than what generally are launched into space, and this part of the operation isn't rocket science: Your tiny smartphone will have a much easier time connecting to the closer, bigger satellites, leading to a level of cellular space service that wasn't possible before.
Once the space network gets up and running, SpaceX says the service "works with existing LTE phones wherever you can see the sky. No changes to hardware, firmware, or special apps are required, providing seamless access to text, voice, and data." There will be hardware changes to Starlink satellites, though, with the latest versions sporting the necessary LTE equipment. The new site doesn't reiterate expectations for service speed, but when this project was announced in 2022, the claim was 2–4Mbps.


The current (very tentative) rollout timeline.

The page says Starlink satellites with the Direct to Cell capability will first be launched on the workhorse Falcon 9 rocket and eventually Starship. Starship's bigger payload represents a big capability upgrade for Starlink since the full-size "V2" satellites don't fit on the smaller Falcon 9, and today the company is getting by with "V2 Mini" variants due to Starship delays. The 2025 and 2026 service upgrades for Direct to Cell most likely depend on getting the big rocket up and running, so like all SpaceX projects, you should take these timelines with a grain of salt. This whole project was originally scheduled to start a "beta service" this year, but making that deadline now looks iffy.

When the new network eventually gets up and running, SpaceX has several traditional cell phone companies lined up to sell the service. The page lists SpaceX's partners as T-Mobile in the US, Rogers in Canada, KDDI in Japan, Optus in Australia, One NZ in New Zealand, and Salt in Switzerland. The new promo page is seeking additional cellular partners.

 

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SpaceX launches 1st batch of 'direct to cell' Starlink satellites

Liftoff occurred at 10:44 p.m. EST on Tuesday (Jan. 2).

www.space.com

"This launch will include the first six Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities that will enable 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," SpaceX wrote in a mission description.

 

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Starlink | Updates

For step by step information on how to enable effective, open conjunction coordination, visit our Satellite Operator page.

www.starlink.com

Jan 10, 2024
SPACEX SENDS FIRST TEXT MESSAGES VIA ITS NEWLY LAUNCHED DIRECT TO CELL SATELLITES

On Monday, January 8, the Starlink team successfully sent and received our first text messages using T-Mobile network spectrum through one of our new Direct to Cell satellites launched six days prior.

Connecting cell phones to satellites has several major challenges to overcome. For example, in terrestrial networks cell towers are stationary, but in a satellite network they move at tens of thousands of miles per hour relative to users on Earth.

This requires seamless handoffs between satellites and accommodations for factors like Doppler shift and timing delays that challenge phone to space communications.

Cell phones are also incredibly difficult to connect to satellites hundreds of kilometers away given a mobile phone’s low antenna gain and transmit power.

Starlink satellites with the Direct to Cell payload are equipped with innovative new custom silicon, phased array antennas, and advanced software algorithms that overcome these challenges and provide standard LTE service to cell phones on the ground.

As the global leader in rocket and satellite launch and manufacturing, SpaceX is uniquely positioned to rapidly scale our Direct to Cell network and will rapidly launch a constellation of hundreds of satellites to enable text service in 2024 and voice, data, and Internet of Things (IoT) services in 2025.

 

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https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacexs-cellular-starlink-hits-17mbps-download-speed-to-android-phone

SpaceX's Cellular Starlink Hits 17Mbps Download Speed to Android Phone​

The test involved using the orbiting satellites to deliver a 60.3MB file.

 

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SpaceX Seeks International Approval for Starlink Mobile Connectivity Expansion

SpaceX Seeks International Approval for Starlink Mobile Connectivity Expansion yTech

ytech.news

SpaceX Seeks International Approval for Starlink Mobile Connectivity Expansion​

SpaceX is advancing its global footprint by seeking permissions to trial its Starlink satellite cellular service in a host of countries outside the United States, targeting to start by May 1st. This initiative aims to test the feasibility of delivering internet directly to mobile phones through cooperation with local telecom carriers in Canada, Australia, Japan, and additional potential markets like New Zealand, Chile, Peru, and Switzerland.

The aerospace company has made formal requests to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for special temporary authority to commence international tests lasting 180 days. These tests will utilize unaltered smartphones to validate the technology’s capability to provide broadband via space directly to consumers on Earth. The success of the initiative depends on not only the FCC but also the regulatory approvals from each country where testing is intended.

In its expansion moves, SpaceX has already established agreements with seven key communication providers, including Rogers in Canada, Optus in Australia, and KDDI in Japan, to use their licensed radio spectrums. This collaboration ensures that SpaceX can transmit internet data to customers’ mobile devices efficiently.

The request for broader testing follows shortly after FCC approval for extended trials across several U.S. states, and plans to launch an additional 840 Starlink satellites equipped for direct-to-cell communication. T-Mobile customers in the U.S. anticipate the debut of this service later in the year for text messaging, with voice and data capabilities projected for the following year, all subject to FCC’s green light.

Summary: SpaceX is working towards the launch of its Starlink mobile connectivity service on a global scale, starting with potential trials in various countries. The company has applied for the necessary regulatory approvals to conduct international tests and has partnered with local carriers to leverage their networks. This marks a significant step in SpaceX’s ambitions to offer broadband directly from satellites to mobile phones worldwide.

SpaceX is expanding its innovative Starlink project, aiming to revolutionize the way we access the internet globally. By trialing satellite cellular service outside the United States, beginning tentatively by May 1st, SpaceX is pushing the boundaries of high-speed internet connectivity.

The satellite internet industry is experiencing a substantial growth spurt, with market forecasts projecting a boom in the coming years. This is driven by heightened demand for global internet coverage, especially in areas where traditional ground infrastructure is lacking or non-existent. Companies like SpaceX are at the forefront of this surge with their low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks.

To understand the potential impact of such technology, it’s crucial to appreciate the market forecasts. According to industry analysts, the global satellite broadband market is expected to reach billions of dollars by 2030, growing at a considerable compound annual growth rate (CAGR). This growth is powered by increasing investment in satellite communication technologies and a rising number of internet users worldwide.

However, the industry does not come without its issues. There are concerns regarding space debris, spectrum management, ground interference, and the regulatory hurdles associated with launching and operating a global satellite network. SpaceX’s initiative to work closely with local telecom carriers hints at a collaborative approach to mitigate some of these challenges by utilizing the existing licensed radio spectra.

For more information about the industry and related forecasts, a reputable financial news link or a space industry news link would be beneficial for those seeking in-depth market analysis.

In terms of trials, SpaceX’s approach to use unaltered smartphones for validating broadband delivery directly from satellites is a game-changer for consumers. If successful, this service would dramatically increase coverage and reliability, particularly for those in remote or rural regions.

The international tests hinge on the approvals from respective governmental authorities like the FCC and parallel organizations in the targeted countries. SpaceX has already obtained collaborative agreements with major carriers like Rogers, Optus, and KDDI to facilitate these trials and pave the way for consistent and high-quality connectivity.

With the planned expansion and launch of new Starlink satellites specifically equipped for direct-to-cell communication, SpaceX is setting the scene for an interconnected world. The imminent deployment of mobile connectivity services – offering text, voice, and eventually data – promises to enrich the Starlink portfolio and contribute to the larger goal of ubiquitous global internet access.

Summary: As SpaceX prepares to test its Starlink mobile service internationally, the company is addressing both technological and regulatory challenges. The initiative could significantly disrupt the satellite internet industry, feeding into positive market forecasts for global connectivity. Partnerships with local carriers underscore SpaceX’s commitment to integrating its innovative space-based network with existing communication infrastructures, helping to expand high-speed internet access to underserved areas around the world.

 

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SpaceX Starlink Has Over 100 Starlink Cellphone Direct Capability | NextBigFuture.com

SpaceX Starlink now has over 100 Starlink satellites with direct to cellphone capability in orbit.

www.nextbigfuture.com

SpaceX Starlink Has Over 100 Starlink Cellphone Direct Capability​

SpaceX Starlink now has over 100 Starlink satellites with direct to cellphone capability in orbit.

 

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https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-lets-starlink-provide-direct-to-cell-coverage-hurricane-hit-areas-2024-10-06/

US lets Starlink provide direct-to-cell coverage for hurricane-hit areas​

WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Sunday allowed Elon Musk's SpaceX and T Mobile (TMUS.O), opens new tab to enable Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability to provide coverage for cellphones in areas of North Carolina hard-hit by Hurricane Helene.

The FCC often grants such emergency temporary approvals during disasters to help restore wireless and internet services in badly impacted areas and to allow for testing.

An FCC spokesperson said on Sunday that the agency remains "committed to helping with recovery efforts in states affected by Hurricane Helene. We stand ready to do all that is necessary to return connectivity to hard-hit areas and save lives."
SpaceX said the satellites "have already been enabled and started broadcasting emergency alerts to cellphones on all networks in North Carolina." The company said it may "test basic texting (SMS) capabilities for most cell phones on the T-Mobile network in North Carolina."

 

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Starlink's Direct-to-Phone Satellite Tech Is a Bigger Deal Than You Think

ET isn't the only one who gets to phone home.

www.howtogeek.com

Starlink's Direct-to-Phone Satellite Tech Is a Bigger Deal Than You Think​

• Starlink enables any phone to connect directly to satellites for basic communication.
• Service is still experimental, allowing only text-based communication for now.
• Starlink's ability to turn any phone into a satellite phone may make Apple's satellite feature obsolete.

When I got my iPhone 14 Pro, I was perhaps most impressed by the fact that this device could double as a rudimentary satellite phone. So if I ever get stranded somewhere, I can get help. The downside is that you have to have the right model of iPhone, or hope at least that someone in your group does. Starlink's direct-to-phone technology changes that and more.

Starlink Lets Regular Phones Connect to Satellites​

Some of Starlink's satellites are equipped with special modems that are capable of communicating directly with current smartphones. You don't need a special phone or a specific model. It's essentially a cellphone tower in space, and from your phone's point of view, it's no different from any other phone tower.

For now, only a subset of Starlink satellites have this feature, and not everyone is thrilled about it. Astronomers have already raised concerns about how the regular Starlink satellites get in the way of their observations, but apparently these direct-to-phone models are five times brighter. Scientific and environmental issues aside, for now, this part of the network isn't nearly as extensive as the broadband service.

It’s Flaky and Basic, for Now​

Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com
Probably because the network is not yet robust, this is still an experimental service and so it's not reliable. It only came to public attention thanks to the FCC giving Starlink permission to offer this service for free to T-Mobile subscribers in hurricane zones. However, at best you can send a text message, or get text-based alerts and information.

That's not to underplay how important and revolutionary this is. In an emergency situation, getting a text out can mean the difference between life and death. Likewise, getting important information from the authorities can also be a critical turning point in a survival context.

This Makes the iPhone Satellite Function Obsolete​

Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek
I can't knock Apple's attempt to put satellite functionality into their iPhones using existing satellite phone infrastructure. After all, if you don't control the satellites, then your only real option is to modify a standard phone until it can get in contact with objects in orbit. That Apple was able to do this to a standard iPhone without changing its size or shape, is amazing.

Of course, it's not a perfect feature and can be tricky to use correctly but, again, as an emergency feature, it's an incredible option. The thing is, SpaceX does control the satellite network, and since they can turn any phone into a satellite phone, I think it puts into question whether Apple should even bother including this feature in future iPhones once Starlink's direct-to-phone infrastructure is mature.

This Is a Big Deal in So Many Ways​

In the long term, Starlink plans to offer full phone services for voice. However, even if this never goes beyond texting, just imagine the impact. If there are survivors of a shipwreck, or a plane crash, we'd know exactly where they are, because phones could send their GPS positions over satellite. In countries where the government censors the internet, or turns off communications when it doesn't want the world to know what's going on within its borders, anyone with a normal phone can get around that and keep the globe in the loop.

A truly global cellphone network is something that I never even thought of, but now that the technology is actually orbiting in the sky above us, I feel like it's a quiet revolution waiting in the wings.

 

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SpaceX gets conditional approval for direct-to-smartphone service

The Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX conditional approval Nov. 26 to use Starlink broadband satellites to keep T-Mobile smartphone users connected in cellular dead zones across the United States.

spacenews.com

SpaceX gets conditional approval for direct-to-smartphone service​

TAMPA, Fla. — The Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX conditional approval Nov. 26 to use Starlink broadband satellites to keep T-Mobile smartphone users connected in cellular dead zones across the United States.

SpaceX has permission to use T-Mobile’s cellular frequencies on up to 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites to provide Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS), provided it does not interfere with other networks.

Of the more than 2,600 Gen2 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, around 320 are equipped with a direct-to-smartphone payload, enough to enable the texting services SpaceX has said it could launch this year.

The FCC deferred deciding whether to allow these satellites to increase their radio emission power, which SpaceX has said is needed to support higher bandwidth capabilities such as real-time voice and video calls.

The regulator said it is also continuing to defer considering whether to give SpaceX permission for the remaining 22,488 satellites in its proposed Gen2 constellation.

However, the FCC is allowing SpaceX to operate Gen2 spacecraft at lower altitudes, between 340 and 360 kilometers — down from 525-535 kilometers, to reduce latency.

Operating at these lower altitudes is subject to coordination with NASA to protect the International Space Station and other missions.

SpaceX also has around 4,100 Gen1 Starlink satellites in orbit, according to statistics maintained by astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, with permission to operate up to 4,408 of them between around 540-570 kilometers.

Multiple satellite operators, including EchoStar, Omnispace, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, had opposed SpaceX’s request to provide SCS services or operate at lower altitudes over interference concerns.

New regulatory framework

The conditional FCC approval comes after the regulator set ground rules for SCS services in March, relegating them as a secondary service to companies providing Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) with conventional frequencies already approved for use from space.

This means an SCS operator must immediately cease operations if they interfere with an MSS provider or terrestrial telco with primary rights.

The approval for SpaceX and T-Mobile also follows a temporary FCC license to provide emergency connectivity in Florida and North Carolina after Hurricanes Milton and Helene knocked out terrestrial cell towers.

According to T-Mobile, the space-based service was used to broadcast 120 Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in Florida from public safety agencies — hurricane warnings, evacuation notices, flood warnings — both in advance of Milton and when it made landfall.

“It also enabled over 100K SMS messages to be sent and received,” T-Mobile spokesperson Jai Ferguson said via email.

Ferguson said T-Mobile was still digesting the FCC approval when asked for comment.

SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.

First of many?

While this is the first satellite-terrestrial SCS partnership to get FCC approval, other companies have pending applications for review before the regulator, including AST SpaceMobile, which has partnered with AT&T and Verizon in the United States.

“This first-of-its-kind authorization is an exciting new development for the future of combined satellite and wireless communications,” FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement.

“And it won’t be the last. Thanks to the bipartisan framework we adopted earlier this year, the FCC is actively promoting competition in the space economy by supporting more partnerships between terrestrial mobile carriers and satellite operators to deliver on a Single Network Future that will put an end to mobile dead zones.”

The FCC approval also sets SpaceX up to provide direct-to-smartphone services in other countries — in coordination with local rules.

In addition to T-Mobile, SpaceX has announced cellular partnerships with Rogers (Canada), One NZ (New Zealand), KDDI (Japan), Optus (Australia), and Salt (Switzerland).

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KDDI advances direct-to-cell plan with Starlink

Japan has become a hotbed of direct-to-cell satellite service activity with several deals inked between major Japanese telcos and global satellite specialistsK…

www.telecomtv.com

KDDI advances direct-to-cell plan with Starlink​

• Japan has become a hotbed of direct-to-cell satellite service activity with several deals inked between major Japanese telcos and global satellite specialists
• KDDI has hooked up with Elon Musk’s Starlink for its planned service
• The operator has just completed a successful trial that linked a standard smartphone using KDDI’s au mobile services to a Starlink satellite
• KDDI’s rivals are working with a variety of direct-to-cell satellite hopefuls

Japanese operator KDDI has taken a step closer to the launch of a commercial direct-to-cell satellite service following the successful completion of a trial with its partner Starlink, the low-earth orbit (LEO) operator that is part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX company.

KDDI struck an agreement with SpaceX in September 2023 and has been working with Starlink since to develop an offering that provides connectivity services to users of au, the brand name for KDDI’s mobile service.

Now KDDI says it has conducted a trial that confirmed that au smartphones can connect to Starlink satellites to send and receive SMS text messages even when they are out of reach of KDDI’s terrestrial mobile network or unable to connect (for any reason) to the KDDI network.

KDDI says the service, which will work with existing phones and internet of things (IoT) devices requiring without changes to hardware or software, will eventually offer voice calls and data services as well as SMS as Starlink’s LEO constellation capability is expanded.

Such a service has particular value and importance in Japan, given that it has many remote mountainous areas and small islands where it is hard to build out regular mobile network infrastructure. In addition, Japan is prone to unexpected severe weather as well as earthquakes (and resulting tsunamis) that can damage telecom networks and cut off regular cellular services.

That in itself is no more problematic for Japan’s telcos today than it has been in the past, but actually restoring connectivity across hostile terrain in the 21st century when customers (both government and private business) are demanding ‘always-on connectivity’ for critical services and distributed computer applications, very much is. Uninterrupted service, rather than just fast restoration, is now the expected norm. Fortunately the Japanese technology ecosystem has long been at the forefront of installing and managing control systems to cope with weather-induced fluctuating water flows and the like throughout Asia.

The KDDI announcement made no mention of Musk himself, just SpaceX: Perhaps KDDI wants to ensure that its service strategy, rather than the notoriously flamboyant, publicity-loving Musk, got to bathe in the publicity spotlight.

But Musk isn’t the only globally famous billionaire eying up Japan’s LEO satellite services sector, as the Tesla/SpaceX founder’s arch rival, Amazon chairman Jeff Bezos, is also in the frame courtesy of Amazon’s Project Kuiper. Its focus right now is on satellite broadband services but it is currently exploring ways in which it might also provide what it calls “direct-to-device” services. In the meantime, it has struck a deal with the Japanese telco giant NTT Group, including its mobile company NTT Docomo, for the provision of various satellite services across Japan – see Amazon lands LEO satellite deal with NTT Docomo.

Amazon is going for a big push to get about half of its planned 3,236 LEO constellation into orbit by late 2027. Having initially stunned the industry with its plan, Amazon has yet to launch any commercial ‘birds’ (the first are due in 2025), while boasting a “100% success rate” for its prototype satellite test mission.

Meanwhile, Docomo is exploring other ways to provide an alternative to terrestrial mobile network coverage by exploring the potential of high altitude platform station (HAPS) services – see Japanese firms demo sky-high 5G.

SoftBank is also taking the HAPS route as part of its non-terrestrial network (NTN) plans, but its approach covers multiple bases.

Three years ago, the Japanese multinational company introduced its own ‘concept’ of an NTN to “provide connectivity from space and the stratosphere”. The broader NTN plan includes collaboration with GEO satellite operator Skylo Technologies for narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) services and OneWeb for LEO-enabled data connectivity, but it also includes SoftBank’s own HAPS, a solar-powered “base station in the stratosphere” developed by its subsidiary HAPSMobile Inc.

SoftBank has also struck a multi-year partnership with LEO operator Eutelsat/OneWeb to integrate OneWeb’s connectivity services into its offering for the Japanese market.

And then in September this year, SoftBank and US-headquartered Intelsat signed a “landmark collaboration” to build a single “ubiquitous network” to enable “seamless 5G connections” between terrestrial mobile networks and satellites so people (and things) can stay connected “anywhere in the world” with one device and one account – see SoftBank, Intelsat hatch ‘ubiquitous’ 5G plan.

Rakuten Mobile, meanwhile, has teamed up with AST SpaceMobile, which is focused on providing direct-to-cell services in partnership with multiple mobile operators around the world. The greenfield network operator’s parent company, Rakuten Group, has been an investor in AST SpaceMobile since 2020. Rakuten Mobile announced earlier this year that it plans to launch a satellite-to-smartphone service in 2026 using AST SpaceMobile’s LEO satellites, the first of which were launched into orbit in September.

 

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https://www.telecompetitor.com/t-mobile-starlink-direct-to-satellite-service-enters-beta-testing/

T-Mobile Starlink Direct-to-Satellite Service Enters Beta Testing​

T-Mobile says that it has begun open registration for beta testing of T-Mobile Starlink, a partnership between the two companies that will provide coverage of the 500,000 square miles of the United States not within range of cell towers.

Calls will be made and received just like on-network calls. In some scenarios, the company said, users need to hold their phone up in search of a signal. T-Mobile said this will not be the case with T-Mobile Starlink.

Starlink has more than 300 direct to cell-capability satellites in orbit. The beta test is open to all T-Mobile subscribers with compatible devices, including business and residential customers. Earlier versions of the T-Mobile Starlink system were turned on during hurricanes Helene and Milton and first responders are being prioritized during the beta.

Entel (Chile and Peru), KDDI (Japan), One NZ (New Zealand), Optus (Australia), Rogers (Canada), Salt (Switzerland), and others have signed roaming agreements for the service.

“T-Mobile Starlink is the first major low-earth orbit constellation in the world paired with terrestrial cellular spectrum, making the phone in your pocket work in areas of the U.S. that have never, and probably never will, have ground based coverage,” said T-Mobile President of Marketing, Strategy, and Products Mike Katz in the beta test announcement.

Plans for the T-Mobile Starlink service were announced in late August, 2022. At the time, the companies said it would begin with text communications in 2023 and evolve to voice, data, and potentially video services as more satellites were launched.

In March, the FCC adopted rules for this type of service, which is known as supplemental coverage from space (SCS). AT&T is working on a similar platform with AST SpaceMobile as its satellite provider.