13 new satellites assist its direct-to-cellular service with T-Cell US
On the 14th anniversary of its Falcon 9 rocket’s first launch, Starlink put up 20 new satellites, 13 of which have direct-to-cellular capabilities.
The launch brings the variety of D2C-capable satellites that Starlink has in house to 50, in line with a SpaceX submit on X, previously often known as Twitter.
In keeping with one other submit from Michael Nicolls, VP of Starlink engineering at SpaceX, 26 satellites launched over the previous month characterize greater than eight p.c of the satellites wanted for preliminary direct-to-cellular service. Starlink started launching the D2C-capable “Starlink V2” satellites in January of this yr, in anticipation of economic service with a variety of carriers world wide, together with T-Cell US.
SpaceX’s official X account had additionally posted on Could 21 that Starlink had accomplished its first video name on X by direct-to-cellular satellites and common smartphones.
“We’re excited to go stay with T-Cell later this yr,” the submit mentioned.
“The satellite tv for pc business might be happy to see Starlink launching direct-to-cell satellites into house. Nonetheless, it’s essential to notice that any direct-to-cellular companies as we speak which can be designed to hook up with unmodified handsets, can solely assist low-bandwidth fundamental connectivity companies, comparable to voice, SMS and net looking; they gained’t allow finish customers to stream high-quality video and entry different demanding high-bandwidth companies,” mentioned Peter Kibutu, superior know-how lead for Non-Terrestrial Networks at consultancy The Know-how Partnership (TTP), in emailed feedback. “Satellite tv for pc connectivity akin to as we speak’s 4G and 5G connectivity person expertise would require new handsets with antennas modified for satellite tv for pc connectivity based mostly on the 5G NTN waveform,” he added.
“The success of early direct-to-unmodified handset satellite tv for pc companies, like Starlink’s, might be essential in assembly the present wants for extending mobile protection for fundamental companies to under-served areas,” Kibutu mentioned. “As well as, it would put together the bottom for future funding in increased efficiency satellite tv for pc companies based mostly on new 5G NTN enabled handsets.”