SpaceX Successfully Tests Text Messaging from Satellites to T-Mobile Phones
SpaceX, the American aerospace manufacturing and space transportation services company, has achieved a major milestone by successfully sending and receiving text messages between T-Mobile phones through one of Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellites. This satellite internet service, developed by SpaceX, has been able to transmit cellular transmissions to standard LTE (4G capable) phones, making it a significant advancement in satellite technology.
The successful demonstration of text messaging through the Starlink satellites was confirmed by reports from the media specialized in technology, Ars Technica. According to a Starlink update, the company was able to achieve this feat using the T-Mobile network spectrum through its new Direct to Cell satellites, which were launched recently.
While the service for text messaging is expected to be available to T-Mobile customers in the US and operators in other countries sometime this year, voice and data service is anticipated to begin in 2025.
SpaceX posted a photo of two iPhones exchanging text messages, showcasing the achievement. However, the process behind enabling text messages to be sent from satellites to mobile phones was described as quite complicated by Starlink.
The company highlighted the challenges of connecting cell phones to satellites, including technical aspects like speed, Doppler shift, time delays, and the difficulties related to antenna gain and transmission power. Starlink emphasized that its new satellites are equipped with innovative custom silicon, phased antennas, and advanced software algorithms to overcome these challenges and deliver standard LTE service to cell phones on the ground.
T-Mobile also announced that field testing of Starlink satellites with the T-Mobile network will begin soon. The connectivity provided by Starlink satellites is expected to be particularly useful in areas of the US where there is limited coverage due to terrain limitations and land use restrictions.
The potential of satellite internet technology has also sparked interest internationally, with Cuban-American congresswoman María Elvira Salazar making a personal appeal to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to bring Starlink satellite internet technology to Cuba. This appeal follows Musk’s decision to send Starlink to Ukraine in response to a public request from the Deputy Prime Minister during the Russian invasion. The request to bring Starlink to Cuba aims to counteract the frequent internet cuts made by the Cuban regime during popular protests or events that it seeks to silence.
While the technology promises to revolutionize internet connectivity, its use is still restricted in some nations, pending regulatory approvals. In India, the launch of satellite broadband services is pending regulatory approvals, despite its potential to benefit areas with low availability of mobile coverage.