Starlink’s Next-Gen 5G Direct to Cell: What Rogers Customers Can Expect

Third-generation Starlink Direct to Cell satellite. Image credit: SpaceX

SpaceX recently released its 2025 Progress Report for Starlink, outlining a year of rapid expansion, major performance gains, and the global rollout of its satellite-to-phone service known as Starlink Direct to Cell.

Canada’s Far North and WestJet Get a Shout Out

One of the most notable updates for Canada is how Starlink is being used in some of the country’s most remote regions. SpaceX says Starlink has helped keep people connected during extended hunting and travel expeditions in the far north, including isolated islands surrounded by sea ice. The company specifically highlighted Canadian dog sledders who rely on Starlink to stay in touch with family and their communities during multi-day trips where traditional cellular service does not exist.

For aviation, WestJet added satellite internet through the addition of Starlink this year, which was also noted in the report.

Starlink Completes Its First-Gen Direct to Cell Network

The biggest milestone in the report is the completion of the first-generation Starlink Direct to Cell constellation. SpaceX says it launched more than 650 Direct to Cell satellites into low-Earth orbit in just 18 months, making it what the company calls the largest 4G coverage provider on Earth.

Starlink Direct to Cell satellites act like cellphone towers in space, connecting directly to unmodified smartphones using existing cellular technology. SpaceX says the system has already connected more than 12 million people at least once, with an average of more than 6 million people actively using the service each month in areas without terrestrial coverage.

According to SpaceX, Direct to Cell became operational across six continents by mid-2025 and is now available to more than 400 million people through partnerships with 27 mobile network operators worldwide. The service officially entered commercial operation near the end of 2024.

In the second half of 2025, SpaceX says customers began using data through Direct to Cell while outdoors, allowing access to apps such as messaging platforms, social media, navigation tools like Google Maps, and weather services. The company says the system now supports more than 30 apps and over 100 optimized smartphone models globally.

What This Means for Rogers Customers in Canada

For Canadian users, this has direct implications through Rogers, which is Starlink’s mobile network partner in Canada. Rogers customers using Direct to Cell can expect basic connectivity in mobile dead zones, starting with messaging and emergency alerts, followed by broader data access. Over time, SpaceX says users will be able to send texts, make voice and video calls, use navigation apps, and access essential online services even in areas far beyond traditional cell coverage.

Right now, wireless plans priced from $85/month and higher include 12 to 24 months of free Rogers Satellite. But any Canadian regardless of carrier can sign up for the service at $15 per month.

SpaceX also highlighted Direct to Cell’s growing role beyond smartphones. The service now supports Internet of Things connections for industries such as agriculture, construction, and remote operations, allowing equipment monitoring, real-time updates, and reduced downtime in areas without existing networks.

Next-Gen Direct to Cell Brings 5G Upgrades and Seamless Switching

Looking ahead, SpaceX outlined major upgrades planned for the next generation of Direct to Cell satellites. In late 2025, the company entered agreements to acquire additional spectrum from EchoStar in the United States, which SpaceX says will enable a significant leap in performance. These next-generation satellites will use optimized 5G protocols and custom SpaceX-designed hardware to dramatically increase capacity and speed.

SpaceX says the future Direct to Cell network is designed to support seamless transitions between satellite and terrestrial 5G networks, allowing users to stream video, make high-quality calls, and work remotely without interruptions as coverage switches between space and ground-based towers. You won’t even know that you’re switching from your carrier network’s 5G to Starlink Direct to Cell 5G. That’s how fast speeds will be for smartphone users.

Beyond Direct to Cell, the report highlights continued improvements across the broader Starlink network. SpaceX now operates more than 9,000 active satellites, with laser links connecting them in orbit to route data globally even when ground infrastructure is disrupted. The company says these upgrades helped reduce latency and packet loss, with median global latency now around 26 milliseconds and typical download speeds exceeding 200 Mbps during peak hours.

Starship Will Power the Next Phase of Starlink

SpaceX also pointed to progress with its massive Starship rocket, which it says will play a key role in deploying future Starlink and Direct to Cell satellites. The company plans to begin flying next-gen Starship vehicles in 2026, enabling much larger and more capable satellites that could significantly expand coverage and performance.

According to SpaceX, the long-term goal is full cellular coverage in places that have never had it before, including remote regions of Canada, with Direct to Cell evolving from emergency connectivity into a full satellite-based mobile network that works seamlessly alongside existing carriers like Rogers. Those living or travelling to remote regions will see that Starlink is literally a lifesaver when you’re outside of traditional cell coverage.