‘Direct to cell’ satellite phone service: Can I use it on my phone now?

DIRECT-TO-CELL SERVICE: This service is designed to connect certain smartphone models directly to next-generation satellites orbiting in space. It's only a trial run. The test, which runs from January to June 2024, has been approved by the US industry regulator, the Federal Communications Commission. If successful, it would mark a new era of direct-to-satellite phone connectivity for civilian use.

TRIAL: SpaceX has a 180-day window to conduct its trials, as mentioned in its Federal Communications Commission (FCC) application. These trials will entail about 840 satellites equipped with direct-to-cellular payloads. Approximately 60 of these satellites will be dedicated to serving handsets in the US under this experimental authorization at any given moment. A Falcon rocket carrying Starlink satellites to space.

WHAT’S NEW: On Wednedsay (January 3, 2024), US carrier T-Mobile said SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket on January 2 with the first set of direct-to-cell satellites that can beam phone signals from space directly to smartphones. The US wireless carrier will use Starlink to provide mobile users with network access in parts of the United States with “dead spots” in terms of terrestrial cellular service.

LASER LINKS: The V2 (Gen2) Starlink satellites, larger than the earlier generation, are expected to feature inter-satellite laser links that will drive communication with one another to transfer data at a much faster rate. An FCC filing made by Space X on August 2021 states the Gen2 system will also feature other new capabilities and be launched by Starship.

MORE SATELLITES: In the cosmic tech rivalry, SpaceX's Starlink build-up pace has left other top space execs scratching their heads, launching satellites in clusters of 60, gracefully ascending atop its Falcon 9 workhorse rockets. Yet SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell reveals the awe-inspiring capability of the next-generation Starship rocket – a celestial hauler capable of releasing a staggering 400 Starlink satellites in a single pop. Alongside reusable rockets, this sets the stage for a new era of space-age competition dominated by Elon Musk's company.

DOES IT WORK UNDERGROUND OR IN OBSTRUCTED PLACES? No. As a satellite-based wireless service, means users must have a clear view of the sky for the connection to work, much like the earlier generation of Starlink units. The system is being promoted as functional "wherever you can see the sky," suggesting its suitability for outdoor use. Elon Musk, explaining the direct-to-cell service to T-Mobile users, said the new service would help save lives in remote areas not covered by terrestrial networks.

WHO ARE THE OTHER USERS: Other wireless providers across the world, including Japan's KDDI, Australia's Optus, New Zealand's One NZ, Canada's Rogers are collaborating with SpaceX to launch direct-to-cell technology.

WHAT SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE? Starlink’s direct-to-cell services promises text messaging this year (2024), followed by voice and data next year (2025).

TEST BED: Starlink has recently been sending new V2 “mini" satellites, which mark a pivotal step in transitioning to an updated spacecraft design for the ongoing development of its constellation. As of early January 2024, the network consists of over 5,289 mass-produced satellites hovering above in low-Earth orbit (LEO). SpaceX started launching its satellites in 2019, a pace now equivalent to about 110 satellites launched every month in the last 4 years.

VERSION 2: The Generation 2 or V2 satellite dwarfs the current fleet of over 2,500 Starlink satellites orbiting at 340 miles above Earth. Measuring 22 feet in length and weighing 2,755 pounds, these satellites significantly surpass the first-generation counterparts, which weigh merely 573 pounds, representing about one-fifth of Gen2's mass, as highlighted by the SpaceX CEO on the YouTube show Everyday Astronaut.

BIGGER MINIS: The initial February V2 satellite launched deployed only 21 satellites as they are bigger the V1 satellites. They feature the innovative V2 Mini spacecraft bus design, a precursor to the upcoming V2 model. Although smaller than the planned V2, each V2 Mini satellite weighs approximately 775 kg, nearly three times heavier than the current V1.5 design at 260 kg.

POSITION: The launch positioned the V2 Mini satellites into an initial orbit of 373 x 365 km at a 43-degree inclination, with subsequent adjustments planned using Hall effect electric thrusters powered by Argon propellant.

TELCOS OFFERING THE TRIAL SERVICE: Starlink envisions global coverage, partnering with carriers like T-Mobile US, Rogers, Optus, One NZ, Salt, and KDDI. Described as a "cellphone tower in space," the service operates similarly to roaming, allowing users to connect when out of their carrier's tower range. Pricing details are yet to be disclosed, and Starlink faces regulatory challenges from AT&T and Omnispace.

SPEED MASTER: Starlink has triumphed in recent tests by network intelligence firm Ookla, earning acclaim as the unrivaled leader in download speeds and establishing itself as the provider to surpass. This is our own test done at an off-grid camp on Mt. Isarog, Philippines.

WHAT IF IT WORKS? If the test proves successful, it would change the way people communicate, and potentially expanding “roaming” services, and avoiding having to bring along bulky and power-hog antennas to connect to the world, especially in remote, unserved areas. For SpaceX's Starlink, it will be also to expand its consumer offerings with a new cellular service, something it had never done before.

WHO ARE SPACE X’S COMPETITORS IN THIS FIELD? Apple introduced an Emergency SOS feature in the iPhone 14 and later models to enable text messaging using the Globalstar constellation to link up to emergency services in off-grid situations without cellular or Wi-Fi access. When you make a call with SOS, your iPhone will automatically call the local emergency number and share your location information with the emergency services. AT&T also collaborated with AST SpaceMobile, achieving a successful two-way voice call using an unmodified Samsung Galaxy S22 in April 2023.

1 MILLION USER TERMINALS: The Starlink team already produced more than 1 million user terminals, utilising flat (or circular) design and contains “phased array antennas”, which electronically steer the data beam towards Starlink satellites orbiting low Earth. Download speeds have slowed in recent months as more users signed up. One solution: launch more satellites. The SpaceX development facility in Redmond, Washington houses the Starlink R&D, manufacturing and orbit control team.