Starlink Direct to Cell
Overview
Satellite-to-phone service using 650+ dedicated satellites that act as cell towers in space, providing messaging, voice, data, and IoT connectivity to unmodified phones - commercial in the US since July 2025 as T-Mobile's T-Satellite and live with carrier partners worldwide.
Described in October 2025 as the world's largest 4G coverage provider. The next step is Starlink Mobile: direct-to-consumer service on the ~$17B EchoStar mid-band spectrum approved by the FCC in May 2026, built with femtocells at rooftop dishes, Gateways, and Tesla Superchargers rather than traditional cell towers, plus larger next-gen V2 direct-to-cell satellites targeted for mid-2027. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have each publicly declined an MVNO deal with SpaceX as of their Q1 2026 earnings calls, and SpaceX confirmed on its Aug 4, 2026 earnings call it will build its own network rather than lease capacity. On August 6, 2026 the FCC adopted an NPRM proposing 200+ MHz of additional spectrum for satellite direct-to-device use.