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Deutsche Telekom, SpaceX Team for Direct-to-Phone 5G
3 Mar
Summary
- Deutsche Telekom partners with SpaceX for upgraded Starlink satellites.
- Services aim to deliver 5G speeds to remote European areas.
- Direct-to-smartphone services are expected to launch in 2028.
Deutsche Telekom has announced a significant partnership with SpaceX to introduce Europe's first direct-to-smartphone 5G services by 2028. This ambitious project will leverage upgraded Starlink satellites, employing Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) spectrum to extend 5G speeds to underserved remote regions across 10 European nations.
The collaboration with SpaceX, announced on March 2, builds upon the existing Starlink Mobile service. While current offerings are limited to basic text and voice communication on select devices, the upcoming iteration is designed for substantial performance enhancements. SpaceX is developing new V2 spacecraft, with initial launches anticipated around mid-2027 via the Starship rocket.
These V2 satellites are intended to operate within MSS spectrum, promising a twentyfold increase in throughput and peak speeds up to 150 megabits per second per user. Regulatory approvals, including SpaceX's acquisition of EchoStar's MSS spectrum, and the integration of compatible handset chips are crucial next steps for realizing these next-generation services in Europe.
