Starlink Direct-to-Cell

[AdamLewis]

Starlink appears to be introducing a service that will allow text messaging via satellite over the existing cellular bands (LTE / 4G at this point).

How this can possibly work is well over my head, but it would be a huge advance and leapfrog over both Garmin messaging and the sat connectivity in Apple's never phone.

https://api.starlink.com/public-files/DIRECT_TO_CELL_FIRST_TEXT_UPDATE.pdf

 

[Muttman]

I've been super excited when T-mobile & starlink announced this over a year ago, but it seems the FCC keeps not approving the go ahead. They have been allowed usage in the areas affected by hurricane Helene. So hopefully soon. & maybe someone else with more knowledge or info will chime in on this thread & let us know a better timetable for activation.

 

[wesfromky]

How this can possibly work is well over my head,

https://api.starlink.com/public-files/DIRECT_TO_CELL_FIRST_TEXT_UPDATE.pdf

Basically, the sats just have a low power cellular antenna. Which is why you can text, but not call.

 

[grfox92]

I heard Elon talking about this on Rogan and was going to make a thread. I'm curious if it will be including with an at home starlink subscription or if it will be a separate deal.

 

[butcherboy]

An at home subscription would be nice since I already have Starlink internet.

 

[Dtharvester]

Apple, Garmin (etc) make money off of devices and subs (Apple will charge eventually) and they currently work.

I’d assume any service like this from Starlink would cost additional money, since they make nothing from device sales. They’d also need to hammer out compatibility across brands of devices.

Since they aren’t selling phone or messaging hardware, I dunno about leap frogging existing options, but they’d be joining in on the service side with the satellite connectivity, and competing with any other service providers.