SpaceX sends and receives first texts to cell phones via first six Direct to Cell Starlink satellites

On January 2, 2024, SpaceX launched its first six Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities to low-Earth orbit from Florida. Just six days later, on Monday, January 8, the Starlink team sent and received its first text messages to and from unmodified cell phones on the ground to the newly-launched satellites in space using the T-Mobile network spectrum.

Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities enable ubiquitous access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters. The cutting-edge satellites are equipped with innovative new custom silicon, phased array antennas, and advanced software algorithms that provide standard LTE service to cell phones on the ground.

SpaceX plans to launch a constellation of hundreds of Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities to enable text service in 2024, followed by voice, data, and Internet of Things (IoT) services in 2025.

"This year, we look forward to expanding our testing to include greater coverage; launching hundreds of satellites to enable our text constellation; working toward our voice, data, and IoTconstellation in 2025; and expanding our global footprint," SpaceX said in a statement.

The SpaceX team sent and received our first text messages through our Direct to Cell satellites just six days after launch → https://t.co/wMHDtCbRXA pic.twitter.com/0tUYnIqaem

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 10, 2024