Six Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability have been launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX spacecraft firm to realign mobile connections around the globe.
SpaceX claimed yesterday that the six Starlink satellites will improve global connectivity and remove dead zones while announcing the launch via the X handle.
According to the company, the service will launch with texting and add voice, data, and Internet of Things capabilities in the upcoming year.
When the service launches, Starlink said, users won’t need to buy new phones because it will function with all current 4G-capable smartphones.
Musk provided further details, stating that the innovation would enable cell phone connectivity anywhere on Earth. He did point out that terrestrial cell networks will not face competition from the satellite service.
Musk said, “Note that this is not really competitive with existing terrestrial cellular networks, even though it is a great solution for locations without cellular connectivity. The beams are very big, and this only supports 7Mb per beam.”
Starlink is offering the world access to communication services from any location in the globe with the new satellites.
The corporation stated on its website that “Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities enable ubiquitous access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters.”
Anywhere you can see the sky, Direct to Cell is compatible with current LTE phones. The company also stated that there is no need for specific apps, firmware updates, or hardware modifications to provide seamless text, voice, and data access.
Direct-to-phone eliminates the requirement for ground stations to provide connectivity, as the name implies, albeit its coverage is currently more constrained than that of conventional non-terrestrial networks.
Along with Lynk Global and AST SpaceMobile, Starlink is one of the companies vying for market share in the direct-to-device space. Starlink also provides other satellite services.
One of the top Internet service providers (ISPs) in Nigeria and other African nations is Starlink. Even though it seems extremely expensive, it has continued to gain popularity.
In a related move, MTN Group is investigating several collaborations with low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite businesses, including OneWeb and Elon Musk’s Starlink, in an effort to increase digital inclusion throughout Africa.
In an effort to reach 95% of people in its multimarket footprint with broadband by 2025 (up from 88% in 2022), the operator declared that it is “exploring the skies.” Longer term, it wants to accomplish “universal access” for all of its activities on the continent.
LEO satellite constellations are ideal for MTN’s goals because of their shorter orbital periods, which lead to lower latency and shorter signal travel times, resulting from their orbit trajectory at altitudes of between 160 km to 2,000 km.
The “sharp fall in the cost of launching 1kg of payload into space (from $85,000 in the 1980s to around S$1,000 now)” has contributed to the appeal of LEO satellites, adding to their technical capabilities.
For connectivity enhancement, MTN has concentrated on two “distinct yet complementary” LEO-based technologies, according to Mazen Mroué, chief technology and information officer of MTN Group.
In traditionally underserved areas, the first enhances network access using direct-to-cellular technology. The technology is “device-agnostic,” which guarantees compatibility with current mobile devices and doesn’t require any extra adjustments, according to Mroué.
The second approach makes use of LEO satellites to provide MTN cellular sites with backhaul connectivity and “critical” fixed connectivity for enterprise customers.
He continued, “This is especially relevant in remote and rural locations, where it offers a more economical and effective alternative.”
