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SpaceX Eyes Global Phone Connectivity with Starlink Mobile Overhaul
2 Mar
Summary
- Starlink Mobile aims to connect hundreds of millions of phones globally.
- Second-generation satellites launching mid-2027 via Starship vehicle.
- Current service connects 16 million users; projected to exceed 25 million by 2026.
SpaceX is set to revolutionize global mobile connectivity with its rebranded Starlink Mobile service, previously known as 'Direct to Cell.' The company's vice president of Satellite Engineering, Michael Nicolls, announced plans to connect hundreds of millions of phones worldwide.
The current Starlink Mobile system, powered by 650 satellites, has connected over 16 million unique users and supports 10 million active monthly users through various carrier partners. Projections indicate this number will exceed 25 million by the end of 2026.
SpaceX is preparing to launch its second-generation Starlink Mobile satellites by mid-2027, utilizing the Starship vehicle. This new constellation aims for global coverage within six months of deployment, requiring approximately 1,200 satellites. The company also holds spectrum acquired from EchoStar, expected to close by November 30, 2027, enabling enhanced performance.
Nicolls emphasized that Starlink Mobile is designed to complement existing terrestrial networks, filling coverage gaps in cellular dead zones and augmenting capacity. The next-generation satellites will feature significantly larger phased-array antennas and increased bandwidth, promising higher data density and speeds of up to 150Mbps per user, with widespread availability on most US devices expected upon launch.
