Direct to Cell is already working: SpaceX has sent the first message via its own satellites
After the launch of new Starlink satellites with the Direct to Cell function, SpaceX on its X (Twitter) page announced the successful testing of the technology.
SpaceX’s official announcement claims that the latest Starlink satellites with direct connectivity to smartphones were successfully sending and receiving text messages just six days after launch. It is noted that the Direct to Cell technology allows to transfer text messages between smartphones.
Direct to Cell is designed to provide users with full access to text messages, calls and web browsing via Starlink satellites. An important feature of the technology is that it works anywhere where the sky is visible, even in coastal waters.
Direct to Cell will also support IoT devices with LTE mobile data protocol standards. To use this technology, you do not need to update the hardware of gadgets or install additional programs.
Users can already send text messages using this technology, and in 2025, it is planned to expand the functionality to voice calls and web browsing.
Texts between two phones sent through our Direct to Cell satellites in space pic.twitter.com/jd8b7uiZSq
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 11, 2024
