The first SpaceX satellite that will transmit mobile internet through space has just been launched. The announcement was made this Wednesday, 3, by the project partner, T-Mobile US, American branch of the German mobile phone company. This is the first set of “Starlink” satellites to transmit telephone signals directly from space to smartphones.
The proposal is to expand connections, providing internet in remote locations in the United States. The “Starlink Direct to Cell” project will allow voice calls and data exchange between cell phones around the world. The technology will be accessible to all LTE cell phones (Long Term Evolution – mobile network technology).
In this way, T-Mobile US claims that there will be no need for a firmware update or special applications for the user to access the internet. Nonetheless, those responsible for technology have not yet disclosed what the speed of the broadband offered will be.
Project will include other countries
The partnership between SpaceX, do magnata Elon Musk, and T-Mobile US was announced in 2022. Now, the prediction is that, shortly, technology also includes other countries around the world. There are no set dates for this to occur. But, Starlink already has partnerships signed with other mobile phone providers, as:
- Rogers (Canada)
- KDDI (Japan)
- Optus (Australia)
- One NZ (New Zealand)
- Salt (Switzerland)
New features will be released
The mobile phone service offered by SpaceX will be expanded little by little. For that, the project will follow a schedule. Still this year, text messaging features will be made available to users. Em 2025 voice and IoT functions (Internet of Things) will be included.
The launch of the Starlink satellite has been designed and announced for a long time by Elon Musk. The project was scheduled to be launched last year, but, had to undergo postponements in the schedule.
