SpaceX’s latest Falcon 9 rocket which was launched on Tuesday is loaded with the first set of Starlink satellites that can beam phone signals from space directly to smartphones.
T-Mobile US, revealing the news on Wednesday, said it will use the Elon Musk-owned firm’s satellites to provide mobile users with network access in parts of the United States, something the companies had first announced as a plan in August 2022.
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Other wireless providers across the world, including Japan’s KDDI, Australia’s Optus, New Zealand’s One NZ, Canada’s Rogers will also be collaborating with SpaceX to launch direct-to-cell technology.
The direct-to-cell service at first will begin with text messaging followed by voice and data capabilities in the coming years, T-Mobile said.
- Reuters with additional editing by Sean O’Meara
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