Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, is exploring plans to launch thousands of additional Starlink satellites with cellular capabilities, aiming to extend broadband access globally and into remote areas where traditional cellular networks are unavailable.
This move could position SpaceX as a revolutionary player in the telecommunications industry, leveraging its expertise in satellite technology to bridge connectivity gaps on a massive scale.
SpaceX’s Starlink project initially focused on delivering high-speed internet to underserved areas via a satellite constellation in low Earth orbit (LEO). With over 4,500 satellites already in orbit, the company has rapidly expanded its reach, providing internet to millions of users in over 60 countries. Musk’s ambition now includes equipping Starlink satellites with cellular capabilities, which would make them compatible with mobile networks, allowing standard cell phones to access the service without specialized hardware.
This new initiative, branded as “Direct to Cell,” aims to solve long-standing connectivity challenges, especially in rural, mountainous, and isolated regions where building infrastructure for cell towers is cost-prohibitive or impractical. By extending cellular coverage via satellite, SpaceX hopes to address mobile connectivity gaps and provide reliable service in emergencies and natural disasters. Importantly, the technology could support voice calls, text messaging, and eventually even data services.
The need for a broad cellular satellite network is pressing. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), around 2.7 billion people—mostly in low-income and rural areas—lack reliable internet access. By building a space-based cellular network, SpaceX would have the ability to reach nearly any spot on Earth, reducing reliance on traditional cellular networks, and bringing service to places that may never have experienced it before.
SpaceX has already partnered with major telecommunications companies, such as T-Mobile, which would allow T-Mobile’s existing subscribers to access Starlink’s satellite network if they lose regular network coverage. This partnership exemplifies Musk’s approach to collaboration with traditional telecom operators rather than competition, ensuring compatibility with existing mobile phones without disrupting established cellular providers.
To bring this ambitious plan to life, SpaceX must secure regulatory approvals from agencies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Operating thousands of new satellites with cellular capabilities requires regulatory compliance regarding radio frequencies, orbital slots, and space traffic management to minimize the risk of interference and collisions with other satellites. The FCC recently approved SpaceX’s application to deploy 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, a significant step towards enabling wider connectivity services through its network.
Challenges remain in achieving the necessary scale and maintaining cost-effectiveness, as launching, managing, and operating a satellite network of this magnitude is no small feat. Despite these hurdles, SpaceX has a track record of pioneering in satellite internet, and its vertical integration—launching satellites on its Falcon rockets and building hardware in-house—provides a clear advantage in controlling costs.
By pursuing a cellular-capable Starlink, Musk aims to redefine the limits of mobile connectivity, potentially impacting everything from disaster response to agriculture, remote education, and telemedicine. His vision suggests a future where anyone with a cell phone can connect to the world, regardless of their location. If SpaceX succeeds, it could pave the way for a new era of universal connectivity, breaking down digital divides, and opening access to digital resources for billions.