SpaceX reveals first text message sent to mobile phone via satellite internet using Starlink's 'Direct to Cell'



The artificial satellite

launched by SpaceX on January 3, 2024 includes six Starlink satellites aimed at realizing the ' Direct to Cell ' service that allows you to use SpaceX's satellite communication 'Starlink' directly from your existing smartphone. was included. SpaceX reported on January 8, 2024, ``We successfully sent and received the first text message using Direct to Cell.''

DIRECT_TO_CELL_FIRST_TEXT_UPDATE.pdf
(PDF file) https://api.starlink.com/public-files/DIRECT_TO_CELL_FIRST_TEXT_UPDATE.pdf



“Such signal, much wow”: Starlink's first texts via “cellphone towers in space” | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/starlink-shows-off-first-texts-to-t-mobile-phones-sent-via-spacex-satellite/

SpaceX's 'Direct to Cell' service is a service that allows you to connect your existing LTE-compatible smartphone to a mobile line anywhere you can see the sky, and there is no need to change hardware or software when connecting. , and you don't need to use any specific apps. This makes mobile communication possible even in areas where the signal is weak or not reachable with conventional mobile lines.

To realize Direct to Cell, SpaceX launched the first six Starlink satellites compatible with Direct to Cell on January 3, 2024. SpaceX has announced that it plans to start a text message sending and receiving service using Direct to Cell in 2024, and voice call and data communication services in 2025.

The first 6 artificial satellites will be launched to launch SpaceX's ``Direct to Cell'' service that will allow you to use the satellite communication service Starlink directly from your smartphone - GIGAZINE



And on January 8, 2024, SpaceX said, 'On January 8, the Starlink team successfully sent and received the first text message via one of the new Direct to Cell satellites launched on January 3.' I reported. SpaceX has released the screens of two smartphones that exchanged text messages such as 'Go SpaceX!' and 'Much wow' and posted them on X (formerly Twitter).




X users who saw SpaceX's post pointed out that one message was not sent and the order of the exchange was mixed, but praised it as ``But it's amazing.''



``The process that enabled the transmission of these texts was extremely complex,'' SpaceX recalls, ``Cellular base stations associated with traditional terrestrial networks are stationary, but satellites using Starlink satellites Networks are constantly moving at tens of thousands of miles per hour (tens of thousands of kilometers) relative to users on Earth.As a result, there are various problems with communication between users' smartphones and satellites, such as the Doppler effect and communication timing delays. 'This creates difficulties. There are various challenges that must be overcome in order to connect smartphones to satellites and provide stable communication.'

According to SpaceX, stable communication between Starlink satellites and smartphones is extremely difficult, but Direct to Cell compatible satellites are equipped with new custom chips, phased array antennas, and advanced software algorithms to make this possible. It is said that it is being carried out.

On the other hand, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said at the time of the launch, ``Direct to Cell service is an excellent solution for areas where there is no signal coverage, but the line speed is limited to a maximum of 7Mbps, making it difficult to integrate with existing networks.'' There is no competitiveness.'


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