SpaceX has initiated the deployment of Direct to Cell (DTC) technology for its Starlink service by launching the first six satellites equipped with this capability. The deployment is part of a broader effort to establish a global Internet access infrastructure, offering users seamless connectivity regardless of their location, TechCrunch reported.
Launched as part of a batch of 21 satellites on January 2, these DTC-enabled satellites mark a crucial advancement in SpaceX's mission to revolutionize internet connectivity. The DTC service specifically targets mobile operators, providing them with the capability to offer "seamless" access to their services. The service is designed to cater to LTE-enabled devices across various terrains, including land, lakes, and coastal waters.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX permission in December 2023 to conduct network testing for six months in collaboration with T-Mobile. This regulatory approval positions SpaceX to assess and refine the capabilities of its Starlink network.
SpaceX, under the leadership of CEO Elon Musk, envisions Starlink as a global satellite internet constellation that can serve areas with limited or no existing communication infrastructure. While acknowledging the technology's potential to operate in remote locations, Musk has noted that it may not compete directly with ground-based communication towers.
Moreover, SpaceX has entered into partnership agreements with companies from various countries, including Australia, Canada, and Japan. However, the commercial deployment of Starlink services will require separate regulatory approval, underlining the company's commitment to ensuring compliance with established norms as it pioneers advancements in satellite-based internet connectivity.
Operated by SpaceX, Starlink is a satellite internet constellation that covers 70+ countries, with plans for global mobile phone service post-2023. Launches began in 2019.
Earlier Daryo reported that Elon Musk declared on October 28 that SpaceX's Starlink would offer communication assistance to "internationally recognized aid organizations" in Gaza. Nonetheless, Israel's Communication Minister, Shlomo Karhi, objected to this decision, affirming that Israel would respond accordingly.
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