SpaceX & T-Mobile to bring direct Starlink satellite connection to 5G cellphones

SpaceX and T-Mobile announced a plan to expand coverage for T-Mobile users, allowing them to connect 5G phones directly to SpaceX's Starlink satellites. The companies hope to enable global roaming wherever satellite coverage exists, and the service may potentially be added for free to existing T-Mobile plans. Starlink’s main terminals bring high-speed internet to those locations, but are large, expensive, and require a clear line of sight to the whole sky.

This partnership has a vision that is the end of mobile dead zones. The satellite-to-cellular service will be available everywhere in the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and territorial waters. And the idea painted in the Livestream presentation is one where people would never need to worry about losing signal during an emergency. This plan will cut out the need for cell towers and offer services for sending text messages and images where cell coverage does not currently exist.

SpaceX & T-Mobile to bring direct satellite connection to cellphones:

SpaceX started the presentation by highlighting the need for communication as “nearly 20% unreachable by traditional wireless networks. The speeds and connectivity are far more limited than the full-size terminals or standard 4G or 5G connectivity there will be just two to four megabits of bandwidth per cellular zone. Musk suggested, however, that the antenna and service spec could potentially enable multiple voice calls and real-time messaging.

Musk provided a bit more detail by saying that, unlike usual internet service, it could work without access to Starlink’s full satellite constellation. The V2 Starlinksatellites will use a section of T-Mobile’s mid-band PCS spectrum, which T-Mobile owns nationwide and is contiguous. Starlink is a constellation of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that provides broadband internet service in areas where terrestrial options are expensive and unreliable.

T-Mobile's 5G spectrum will be used for connectivity, meaning that existing 5G phones should be able to connect without modifications. T-Mobile also said they are open to using Starlink for some of its data backhauls, though it doesn’t have specific plans at the moment. T-Mobile customers could also use those connections when they come to other countries.

SpaceX lost a bid for rural internet subsidies because of the cost of its equipment. Using Starlink for backhaul could help bring higher-speed data into even more rural areas. The satellite service will go online for a beta test later in 2023 with a public launch possible for 2024. The mid-band has proven to be perfect for 5G services as it provides a good balance of capacity and coverage. SpaceX and T-Mobile also issued an open invitation to other carriers to "collaborate for truly global connectivity.