This new innovation allows mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without needing cell towers.
Users will be able to send messages, make calls, and browse the internet even in remote areas where traditional networks do not reach.
Starlink has already brought internet access to many remote regions using satellite routers.
Now, the company aims to take a step further by offering mobile connectivity directly from space.
This could be a major breakthrough for areas with limited infrastructure and emergency situations where communication is crucial.
According to SpaceX, the beta testing of the Direct-to-Cell service will begin on January 27, 2025.
The company has applied for temporary authority to carry out experimental operations and has until July 26, 2025, to complete all tests.
If successful, this service could revolutionize global mobile connectivity by reducing dependence on traditional ground-based networks.
Elon Musk announced on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), that the beta testing will start in just a few days.
The testing phase will involve collaboration with SpaceX’s partner cellular carriers worldwide.
This will help the company gather data on how the technology performs under different conditions and make improvements before a full-scale launch.
SpaceX first revealed its plans to develop Direct-to-Cell technology in August 2022 in partnership with major global mobile carriers.
The goal is to provide seamless mobile connectivity by allowing phones to connect directly to satellites when they have a clear view of the sky.
This means people in remote areas, mountains, deserts, and even at sea will have better access to communication services.
In addition to its global expansion, Starlink has made significant progress in Africa.
The company recently established a Point of Presence (POP) in Nairobi, Kenya.
This facility is expected to improve internet speed and reduce latency for users in Kenya and across East Africa.
Kenya is the first African country to have a Starlink POP, with another one planned for South Africa to serve the southern region of the continent.
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