Andreus
SpaceX (SPACE) has launched its initial six satellites earmarked for a “direct to cell” mobile phone service effort it’s testing with T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS).
SpaceX noted late Tuesday night that its Falcon 9 rocket launched 21 Starlink (STRLK) satellites into orbit, including six that featured the “direct to cell” capabilities intended to operate something like a cellular tower in space.
The initial plan looks to enable text messaging in remote areas lacking strong or any cellular signal, while it also aims toward voice and data connections in the future.
Alongside the partnership’s summer 2022 announcement, SpaceX chief Elon Musk said “This won’t have the kind of bandwidth a Starlink terminal will have, but this will enable texting, it will enable images and if there aren’t too many people in the cell zone, you can even potentially have a little bit of video.”
The first providers using “direct to cell” for global access include not only T-Mobile (TMUS) but also Canada’s Rogers (RCI), Japan’s KDDI (OTCPK:KDDIY), Australia’s Optus (OTCPK:SGAPY), One New Zealand (OTCPK:IFUUF), Switzerland’s Salt Mobile and Entel Chile, SpaceX said.
Stock in a rival pursuing direct-to-cell space service, AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS), was 2% higher early Wednesday.
