SpaceX’s Starlink Sets Sights on 2024 for Satellite-Based SMS Services Launch

By Jackson Montgomery

SpaceX’s Starlink has unveiled its intention to introduce a satellite-based SMS service known as Direct-to-Cell by the year 2024. Earlier this year, the company first revealed plans for this service in partnership with T-Mobile. While eager anticipation surrounds its scheduled 2024 launch, it’s important to note that this initial offering will be limited to SMS services. Features like voice, data, and IoT are not anticipated to be incorporated until 2025.

Upon achieving its final iteration, Direct-to-Cell aspires to provide a comprehensive connectivity solution for text messaging, calling, and internet browsing, accessible across a wide range of landscapes. The ultimate goal is to offer “ubiquitous access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters,” as stated on the website.

In conjunction with its partnership with T-Mobile, a portion of T-Mobile’s 5G spectrum has been allocated to Starlink’s second-generation satellites. In return, T-Mobile mobile devices will gain access to the satellite network, effectively achieving nearly complete coverage across the United States.

Elon Musk, in a recent press release, emphasized, “The important thing about this is that it means there are no dead zones anywhere in the world for your cell phone.” In the summer of the previous year, Musk shared in a post that “Starlink V2,” set to “launch next year,” would “transmit directly to mobile phones, eliminating dead zones worldwide.” However, this timeline was subsequently adjusted in March 2023, indicating that testing would commence in 2023, preceding full-scale commercial operations.

Several factors may affect the complete deployment of services. Notably, the current 4,265 satellites are not compatible with the new cellular service, necessitating the launch of additional microsatellites. Over the next few years, once this satellite network is operational, full services are expected to become available.