Elon Musk announced via Twitter that SpaceX achieved a peak download speed of 17Mb/s from a Starlink satellite directly to an unmodified Samsung Android phone.
This was done without any specialized equipment, just the phone communicating directly with the satellite.
SpaceX aims to offer global cellular service direct from satellites where terrestrial towers don’t reach, envisioning universal connectivity.
They are developing a “Direct to Cell” (DTC) service to enable standard phones to connect to satellites for voice, text and data access.
SpaceX has partnerships with mobile carriers like T-Mobile to leverage satellite connectivity worldwide.
This builds on SpaceX transmitting the first tweet and text message via a DTC Starlink satellite earlier.
They aim to launch the DTC mobile service later this year, extending coverage to remote areas lacking cellular infrastructure.
Starlink is rapidly forging agreements with carriers globally to expand the revolutionary satellite connectivity worldwide.
Source: Interesting Engineering
