SpaceX is taking a phased approach towards the rollout of its Direct to Cell service. Starting next year, it will allow sending text messages. Voice calling and web browsing facilities will only be rolled out a year later in 2025. However, if you’re a T-Mobile customer, you might be able to get a taste of this capability soon. T-Mobile originally announced that beta-testing of its Starlink satellite connectivity service will begin towards the end of 2023.
That said, SpaceX won’t be the only player in the game. AST SpaceMobile also plans to “deliver cellular broadband directly to your phone” using its constellation of BlueBird satellites. A prototype called “BlueWalker 3” recently became the world’s first to relay 5G cellular connectivity from a satellite to an Earth-based phone, and also ended up giving light pollution nightmares to astronomers.
In Starlink’s case, the satellites that enable phone connectivity have been equipped with a specialized eNodeB modem that works like a cell tower, but floats in space. Partner company SpaceX is currently ramping up its launch capabilities to inject Direct to Cell satellites in low-Earth orbit. In the initial phase, the Falcon 9 rocket will shoulder the responsibility of putting Starlink satellites in to space, but down the road, the ambitious Starship will take over to inject more satellites in one go.