SpaceX Completes First Phase Of Direct-to-Cell Phone Constellation, Covering “Dead Zones”

Elon Musk announced that SpaceX has successfully launched 20 Starlink satellites, 13 of which are fitted with direct-to-cell technology. This achievement marks the completion of the first phase of this specialized network.

Successful Launch Aboard Falcon 9

The Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites launched at 10:05 PM EST on Wednesday, 4th December. 61 minutes after liftoff, the rocket successfully deployed the satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO).

“First Starlink satellite direct to cell phone constellation is now complete,” Musk wrote on X.

Direct-To-Cell Constellation Ambitious Goal

Direct-to-cell technology enables people in remote areas without cellular towers to access the Internet using their regular cell phones.

Starlink aims to establish a global high-speed internet network by deploying thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit. The current Starlink satellites offer a bandwidth of approximately 10 Mbps per beam, with future satellites expected to deliver much higher speeds. For seamless and reliable internet connectivity, these satellites must efficiently communicate with one another.

Covering “Dead Zones”

Laser backhaul is a technology that enables satellites to communicate with one another using laser beams, offering a faster and more efficient alternative to traditional radio frequency communication.

According to SpaceX on X, “On orbit, the 13 Direct to Cell satellites will immediately connect over laser backhaul to the Starlink constellation, eliminating dead zones and providing peace of mind when customers need it most.”

Starlink Constellation

The Starlink constellation currently consists of 6,799 operational satellites in low Earth orbit, with around 330 of these equipped to offer direct-to-cell service. SpaceX has set ambitious goals for Starlink. It plans to deploy up to 34,400 satellites, with an initial target of 12,000.

The Starlink initiative has made notable progress, attracting millions of subscribers who benefit from high-speed internet access in many regions.