SpaceX pushes ‘direct to cell’ business forward

SpaceX, the rocket company backed by the world’s richest man, outlined its plans to offer a “direct to cell” service worldwide starting next year via a new website. Company officials touted the new site on social media.

“Direct to Cell works with existing LTE phones wherever you can see the sky. No changes to hardware, firmware or special apps are required, providing seamless access to text, voice and data,” according to the site.

SpaceX promised texting services starting next year, voice and data services starting in 2025, and IoT services also starting in 2025. The company did not disclose the details of those offerings, including where they would be available and when they would launch.

“Direct to Cell satellites will initially be launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and then Starship. On orbit the satellites will immediately connect over laser backhaul to the Starlink constellation to provide global connectivity,” according to the company.

The company also name-checked all the operators around the world it is planning to work with for its direct to cell services:

SpaceX first disclosed its cell plans via a press event in August 2022 featuring SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert.

Adapting the plan

Alongside its new website, SpaceX also recently asked the FCC for “Special Temporary Authority” starting in December to launch and test the company’s direct to cell services via SpaceX’s Gen2 satellites.

“This STA is necessary as the Commission continues to process SpaceX’s application to enable supplemental coverage from space (SCS) for consumers on a permanent basis and would permit SpaceX to timely launch its first tranche of direct-to-cellular-enabled satellites in December 2023. In the alternative, SpaceX urges the Commission to grant its direct-to-cell application.”

The STA also lists a handful of locations where SpaceX would test the services with T-Mobile, including Mountain View, California; Kansas City, Kansas; Dallas, Texas; Redmond, Washington; Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; and Houston, Texas.

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