SpaceX has taken another step toward eliminating mobile dead zones worldwide. The company has entered into a $17B purchase agreement with EchoStar for 50 MHz of exclusive S-band spectrum in the U.S. and global MSS spectrum licenses—an acquisition that positions SpaceX to deliver its next generation of Starlink Direct to Cell services with significantly expanded capabilities.
From Proof of Concept to Global Coverage
When SpaceX first began deploying Direct to Cell satellites in January 2024, the stated goal was straightforward: extend connectivity to areas unserved by terrestrial mobile networks. At that time, more than 20% of U.S. land and 90% of the Earth’s surface lacked reliable cellular service.
Eighteen months later, with more than 600 satellites in orbit, Starlink Direct to Cell has achieved global operational status. The service now spans five continents, supports more than six million users, and has become the largest provider of 4G coverage on Earth—remarkably, without requiring modifications to end-user devices. Standard LTE phones connect seamlessly wherever there is sky visibility.
Technical Differentiators
- Architecture: Direct to Cell satellites orbit at 360 km, lower than competing constellations, to optimize the handset-to-satellite link.
- Integration: The constellation connects into Starlink’s broader 8,000-satellite mesh via inter-satellite lasers, extending coverage globally.
- Payload: Each satellite functions as a space-based cell tower, equipped with eNodeB payloads, phased array antennas, and regenerative networking.
- Compatibility: Works with existing LTE phones and IoT devices, without hardware or firmware changes.
This design has enabled applications beyond messaging, including video calls, navigation (Google Maps, AllTrails), and weather services (AccuWeather), as well as IoT connectivity for remote industries.
Ecosystem Partnerships
To scale adoption, SpaceX has aligned with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) including T-Mobile (U.S.), Optus and Telstra (Australia), Rogers (Canada), One New Zealand, KDDI (Japan), Salt (Switzerland), Entel (Chile and Peru), and Kyivstar (Ukraine). These partnerships allow Starlink Direct to Cell to function as a roaming partner, extending operators’ coverage into otherwise unreachable geographies.
Emergency response has become a key proof point. In the wake of hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, more than 1.5 million people relied on Direct to Cell for connectivity when terrestrial networks were down. Wireless Emergency Alerts were also successfully delivered through the system, demonstrating resilience in disaster scenarios.
Next-Generation Constellation
The newly announced spectrum agreement with EchoStar provides SpaceX with AWS-4 and PCS-H bands in the U.S. and global MSS rights. Combined with optimized 5G protocols for satellite links, this spectrum will power the next generation of Direct to Cell satellites:
- 20x throughput per satellite relative to first-generation craft
- 100x system-wide capacity increase through advanced phased arrays and spatial beamforming
- Full 5G compatibility in most environments, enabling performance on par with terrestrial LTE/5G networks
SpaceX intends to leverage its Starship heavy-lift system to accelerate deployment, placing hundreds of upgraded satellites into low-Earth orbit per launch.
Strategic Implications
- Global Connectivity: Positions Starlink Direct to Cell as the de facto global roaming layer for LTE/5G service.
- Competitive Pressure: Raises the bar for traditional MNOs and satellite operators, particularly in rural and emerging markets.
- Disaster Resilience: Provides governments and enterprises with a redundant communications infrastructure.
- IoT Expansion: Opens new pathways for industrial IoT, agriculture, mining, and maritime applications.
Starlink Direct to Cell is evolving from a supplemental service into a foundational layer of global telecom infrastructure. The combination of exclusive spectrum, vertically integrated satellite manufacturing, and Starship-enabled scale gives SpaceX an advantage few competitors can match. The company is not merely filling gaps—it is reshaping expectations of what “ubiquitous coverage” means in the mobile era.