SpaceX has achieved a successful launch of six Starlink satellites. These satellites are designed to provide mobile coverage directly to smartphones, with the goal of improving global connectivity and eliminating areas without network coverage. The aerospace company shared the news of the satellite deployment on the social media platform X, informing that the launch took place early this morning on January 3 using Falcon 9.
Several major telecommunications companies, including T-Mobile US, Rogers Communications, Optus, KDDI, One New Zealand, Salt Mobile, and Entel Chile, will be among the first to offer direct-to-device Starlink services for global connectivity. Starlink has exciting plans for the future, including the ability to send SMS messages directly from its satellites this year. Additionally, they are expected to launch voice and data services by 2025. The system will also be compatible with IoT devices that use widely adopted LTE standards, and operators from partner countries will have mutual access.
The technology allows for direct communication to mobile devices, bypassing the need for ground stations. However, its coverage is currently more limited than traditional non-terrestrial networks.