Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell Network Complete, Rogers Access on Horizon

SpaceX has officially completed its Starlink Direct-to-Cell (DTC) satellite constellation following the successful launch of 12 satellites this morning.

“Today’s launch of 12 Direct to Cell capable @Starlink satellites will continue to provide reliable text service wherever you may be,” said Starlink. As long as you can “see the sky”, your LTE phone will have a connection.

With over 320 DTC satellites now in orbit, the network promises global connectivity for texting, calling, and browsing, even in remote areas on land, lakes, or coastal waters.

The service, launching in the first half of 2025 for T-Mobile customers in the U.S., will work seamlessly with existing LTE phones without requiring hardware changes, firmware updates, or special apps. It will also support IoT devices using standard LTE connections.

Several major telecom providers have already partnered with Starlink’s DTC network. In Canada, the first partner is Rogers, with a launch set for late 2025. Others include Optus (Australia), One NZ (New Zealand), KDDI (Japan), Salt (Switzerland), and Entel (Chile and Peru). SpaceX said after the T-Mobile launch first, other partners will get access later in 2025.

This morning’s launch of 23 more Starlink DTC satellites completed the network. SpaceX launched from Pad 40 in Florida earlier today, with its trusty Falcon 9 rocket sending the Starlink payload to low-Earth orbit yet again, and then landing itself back to Earth like clockwork.

Here’s a video shared earlier this year by SpaceX showing its DTC network on a smartphone on a video call on X:

First video call on @X completed through @Starlink Direct to Cell satellites from unmodified mobile phones!

We’re excited to go live with @TMobile later this year 🛰️🌎 pic.twitter.com/v4nA5B75EX

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 21, 2024

Recently, the Ontario government inked a $100 million deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink internet to more rural areas in the province.