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.

 

[Davedeem]

I feel it's only a matter of time until Elon comes out with a phone that works on his network

 

[AZ8]

I feel it's only a matter of time until Elon comes out with a phone that works on his network

Musk has stated he's not interested. But who knows what the future holds.

Tesla Phone rumors clarified by CEO Elon Musk

The rumors of a potential Tesla Phone have been clarified by company CEO Elon Musk, who appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast on Monday.

www.teslarati.com

 

[Bearsears]

My hunting buddy was in the beta testing this year. During 2nd season in Colorado he was texting friends and family from his Iphone via starlink. He just had to point the phone towards the satellite it was looking for and then send his texts. Supposedly Verizon is coming out with messaging via satellite for Android also in 2025.

 

[Marshfly]

My hunting buddy was in the beta testing this year. During 2nd season in Colorado he was texting friends and family from his Iphone via starlink. He just had to point the phone towards the satellite it was looking for and then send his texts. Supposedly Verizon is coming out with messaging via satellite for Android also in 2025.

Are you sure that was starlink? Every iPhone later than a 14 can sat text now just like you are talking about and it isn't through Starlink.

 

[180ls1]

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.

Given his new role in the incoming Admin, I wouldn't be surprised if they *magically* start playing nice with him.

I sure hope so, I am a big supporter of him and what he does.

 

[z987k]

My hunting buddy was in the beta testing this year. During 2nd season in Colorado he was texting friends and family from his Iphone via starlink. He just had to point the phone towards the satellite it was looking for and then send his texts. Supposedly Verizon is coming out with messaging via satellite for Android also in 2025.

That's through globalstar.

 

[ODB]

I'm curious why you must track a satellite with the iphone but not the inreach? is there some different in the tx/rx that the iphone is limited directionally or?

 

[BBob]

I'm curious why you must track a satellite with the iphone but not the inreach? is there some different in the tx/rx that the iphone is limited directionally or?

Mostly because there's more satellites in the Iridium network over the Globalstar network. Roughly 25 vs 65 satellite's. I believe it's also partly due to the type of orbits they are in. Iridium I believe has more dwell time overhead.

 

[Bearsears]

Are you sure that was starlink? Every iPhone later than a 14 can sat text now just like you are talking about and it isn't through Starlink.

That's through globalstar.

I was told it was Starlink. I did not grab his phone to verify.

 

[BBob]

I was told it was Starlink. I did not grab his phone to verify.

Isn't Starlink only available through T-Mobile? Apple iPhone sat messaging is using Globalstar.

 

[Bearsears]

Isn't Starlink only available through T-Mobile? Apple iPhone sat messaging is using Globalstar.

I believe so and he is a T-Mobile subscriber which makes sense.

 

[Marshfly]

Well shit. I'm on T-mobile with an iPhone 16 pro. A quick google search says something about this. Time to do some more digging.

 

[Bearsears]

Well shit. I'm on T-mobile with an iPhone 16 pro. A quick google search says something about this. Time to do some more digging.

Let us know what you find. Im on verizon and rumor is they are doing something this year for android users.

 

[Marshfly]

This is what I found so far. Beta hasn't even started yet apparently.

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/t-mobile-starlink-direct-to-cell-beta-registration