The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Elon Musk’s SpaceX company permission to test the Direct to Cell service, reports Bloomberg.
Thus, the commission approved the company’s request for six months of testing, which will involve about 2,000 test devices and 840 satellites.
As you know, in the fall, SpaceX’s website has a subsection with information about Direct to Cell. This is a service that will make Starlink satellite communications available on ordinary smartphones. It will allow exchanging files, text and voice messages via a satellite connection.
The service was announced for launch in 2024. First, users will be able to send text messages. Starting from 2025, they are expected to be able to send file and voice information.
Direct to Cell will enable the transmission of 4G LTE communications signals from satellites to ordinary smartphones. Plans to launch the service were announced last year. At the time, it was expected to be launched this year.
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