SpaceX Talks Broadband-to-Phones Plans With FCC
Starlink's first-generation direct-to-device (D2D) service supports texting data, and voice service through apps, IoT and cellular broadcast alerts, but mobile broadband, native telecom voice and video on phones are coming soon, SpaceX said in a docket 25-340 filing posted Tuesday. Recapping a meeting with Space and Wireless Bureau staff, SpaceX said its satellite cellular broadband, using the 2 GHz mobile satellite service spectrum and legacy support of LTE bands, will have global coverage, including northern latitudes. A 2027 transfer of EchoStar spectrum would be "ideal" for device ecosystem readiness, it said.
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SpaceX also noted that Starlink has more than 8 million subscribers in upward of 120 markets globally. The company has put up more than 8,500 Starlink satellites, including 650 enabled with D2D capability.