Starlink to beta test direct to mobile service

SpaceX will be start beta testing direct to cell service within the next three days, CEO Elon Musk has tweeted on January 24 on X. The beta is expected to run between January 27 and July 26, a report by NASA Space Flight has said. 

If it works, SpaceX’s Starlink satellites will be able to connect with regular mobiles without needing typical cellular infrastructure. This would mean users will have connectivity even in dead zones.

The beta program will be done globally with major cellular partners of SpaceX like T-Mobile in the U.S. 

SpaceX’s partnership with T-Mobile signed in 2022 will allow subscribers who agreed to participate in the beta to set up the service by December. The DTC service will include just text messaging earlier but will later expand to data and voice.