Starlink Prepares "Direct to Cell", HP Can Directly Connect Satellite Internet Without Operator

Starlink Prepares "Direct to Cell", HP Can Directly Connect Satellite Internet Without Operator

- Elon Musk's satellite-based internet service, Starlink will soon roll out "Direct to Cell". 

This allows Starlink satellite services to connect directly to the smartphone. This means that cellphones can be connected directly without having to use a cellular operator's internet service. Users also don't need to order a Starlink kit (satellite signal capture antenna and WiFi Router) to experience Starlink services directly on their cellphone, like now. Currently, Starlink has displayed the Starlink Direct to Sell service for business customers on its official website. 

"Starlink Direct to Cell launch campaign will be held soon," wrote Starlink on its official website for Indonesia, as quoted by KompasTekno, Wednesday (5/6/2024). 

The plan is that smartphone users will be able to exchange text messages (SMS) via satellite starting in 2024. Users will also be able to make calls, use the internet and connect to Internet of Things (IoT) devices in 2025. 

Starlink has not detailed the availability schedule for this Direct to Sell service globally, including in Indonesia. However, information about this service can be accessed on the Starlink website for Indonesia. 

Starlink will soon roll out Direct to Cell. This allows Starlink satellite services to directly connect to smartphones. So far, Starlink is known to have only tested this Direct to Cell service with cellular operators such as T-Mobile in the United States. 

On January 2, 2024, Starlink launched the first six Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capability. The latest information, SpaceX is scheduled to launch 20 more Starlink internet satellites on June 4 2024, including 13 satellites that can transmit Direct to Cell services. 

On January 8, 2024, Starlink revealed that it had successfully sent and received its first text message from/to a smartphone on Earth using US mobile operator T-Mobile's network spectrum via one of Starlink's Direct to Cell satellites. 

Smartphones can receive messages via satellite directly wherever they are, on land or coast, without the need to change supporting components or firmware. On its official website, apart from T-Mobile US, Starlink is also working with telecommunications operators in other countries to provide Direct to Cell technology, including Optus Australia, One NZ New Zealand, Rogers Canada, KDDI Japan, Salt Switzerland, and Entel in Chile and Peru. 

Starlink said the telecommunications operator partner provides important 4G/LTE spectrum in the 1.6 GHz to 2.7 GHz frequency range,  the same as that used by Starlink to transmit its satellite signals. 

Challenges of Direct to Cell services

Starlink Satellite Direct to Cell. The Direct to Cell satellite will initially be launched on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and then Starship. In orbit, the satellites will immediately connect via laser backhaul to the Starlink constellation to provide global connectivity. 

According to Starlink, connecting cell phones directly to satellites has some major challenges. 

For example, in terrestrial networks, cell towers are stationary. However, in a satellite network, the towers move at tens of thousands of miles per hour compared to users on Earth.