Known for bringing connectivity to rural or remote areas, Starlink will soon be available directly on smartphone devices and it will be free of charge.
What is Starlink?
Launched through Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, Starlink is a satellite network service that transmits connection to devices through means of multiple low orbit satellites. Since network is received from a satellite in space, compatible devices can maintain a connection even if the user is in a remote area that is out of reach from a traditional cell tower.
Now, six of the twenty-one launched satellites will be able to connect to cell phones directly, without any need for extra software or devices, provided the devices are 4G-LTE compatible. Whilst the satellite network “will allow for mobile phone connectivity anywhere on Earth,” Musk did share that there are limitations to this innovation.
“While this is a great solution for locations with no cellular connectivity, it is not meaningfully competitive with existing terrestrial cellular networks,” Musk explained.
When can mobile phone users expect to access the satellite network?
Smartphone users will be able to connect to the Starlink network through its beta rollout on compatible devices as soon as June of this year.
For the time being, only phones from major companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola are compatible. However, it is more than likely that more brands will be added to the lineup in the future.
Here is a list of known compatible devices for the initial rollout:
- Apple : iPhone 14, 15, and 16 (standard, Pro, and Pro Max)
- Google : Pixel 9 (Pro, Pro Fold and Pro XL)
- Motorola : all devices released in 2024 and 2025
- Samsung : Galaxy A14, A15, A16, A35, A53 and A54; S21, S22, S23, S24 and S25 (Plus, Ultra and Fan Edition)
The best part of the launch of this new service is that users will not have to pay a cent to access it. Users will be able to send messages, make calls, and browse the internet when connected to the Starlink network, even in remote areas.
T-Mobile’s role
Starlink has partnered with T-Mobile, one of the top mobile network providers in the U.S., to rollout this program. According to CNet, “T-Mobile’s wireless network would leverage Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellites — more than 300 of them — to provide near complete coverage to all 500,000 square miles in the US that are not covered by cell towers, essentially eliminating dead zones.”
Musk does not have this corner of network servicing monopolized, however, and will eventually be facing stiff competition from British telecom company, Vodafone.
Vodafone will be launching its own satellite broadband connection in partnership with AST SpaceMobile. Margherita Della Valle, the chief executive of Vodafone shared, “Our new satellite company will be able to offer this pioneering technology to other European mobile operators through a turnkey service that combines Vodafone’s leading network and engineering with AST SpaceMobile’s antennas in the sky.”
Since both network providers are still in the initial beta testing phase of their respective launches, with Vodafone set to launch in the UK and Europe, and Starlink in the United States, the competition is not yet as stiff as it could be.
Additionally and whilst it is still not yet clear when, Starlink does have future plans for a global rollout of this direct to device satellite internet service. According to Forbes, Musk’s company has already announced it will be partnering with several international network carriers such as Optus in Australia, Rogers in Canada, One NZ in New Zealand, KDDI in Japan, Salt in Switzerland and Entel in Chile and Peru.
The free beta trial for this T-Mobile and Starlink collaboration will come to a close at the end of July this year. Fortunately for customers, the service will still remain free of charge.