As claimed on https://direct.starlink.com/:
Direct to Cell works with existing LTE phones wherever you can see the sky. No changes to hardware, firmware, or special apps are required, providing seamless access to text, voice, and data.
"Existing LTE phone" means a mobile phone commercially available in at least one market not after December 31st, 2023.
"Offer" means a public or beta launch available to at least 100 members of the general public (i.e. not limited to journalists, SpaceX employees) in at least one country. Requiring a new or existing subscription with a specific network counts (e.g. T-Mobile in the US).
"No changes to hardware, firmware, or special apps are required" will be judged by a specific mention of Starlink, SpaceX, or LTE-based satellite service in any software or firmware update released by the manufacturer between the launch of the device and the end of 2024. Non-Starlink or non-LTE satellite services, such as Apple's satellite-based emergency SOS service, can be mentioned.
"Text" means bidirectional texting using the phone's built-in messaging client (SMS or anything else the phone supports without installing an application not already present on the device as a factory default) with another ground- or space-based mobile phone and can't be limited only to SOS applications.
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Also credible reporting that the service was activated in New Zealand before the new year :https://spacenews.com/new-zealand-first-to-offer-nationwide-direct-to-smartphone-starlink-service/
@ColinSherman Thank you! I didn't have New Zealand on the radar and will look in some more detail, but it looks promising. The device limitation is a bit concerning:
> currently only four handsets are compatible: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and OPPO Find X8 Pr.
But these are definitely regular phones, and per https://one.nz/faq/one-nz-satellite-frequently-asked-questions, it looks like this limitation isn't because of the availability of firmware updates (regular text clients and even RCS seem to be supported!), but rather due to a network-side allowlist.
From SpaceX's Canada's ISED reply comments.
"The positive impact to affected communities was immediate. In just one day, over 27,000 mobile devices connected to Direct to Cell satellites. In the coming days, over 250,000 texts were sent through Direct to Cell—connecting loved ones, family members, and disaster relief services. Direct to Cell is still delivering thousands of messages while damaged terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure is restored. The swiftness with which the U.S. FCC acted to enable this service was instrumental to its success."
@robm Me too. Given how much interest there is in Starlink, I would have expected at least one tech blogger or Youtuber to release something like "I texted my grandma over Starlink to tell her I'm safe" or "I tried to connect to Starlink's space-based cell towers and couldn't find any".
That said, there's probably little to gain and much to lose by reporting a single non-observation, which means that the absence of any reports increases my belief in that it didn't work as planned.
https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/satellite-phone-service
"We anticipate starting the beta test in early 2025."
@PaulBenjaminPhotographer Bad news for the "unmodified smartphone" aspect as well, from the same page:
> During the beta, to ensure a great customer experience we are optimizing the experience on select smartphones and will expand the beta to more customers and phones as more satellites launch. We’ll provide more details on optimized phones when we open the beta in early 2025.
@brianwang None of these articles you keep adding here have any information beyond Starlink's statement on how it should work, where available. They are essentially just paraphrasing what we already know.
This market is about whether it does work. Something like SpaceX or T-Mobile reporting "we forwarded over x SMS in the past days" would do it, as would credible reporting ("we tried this ourselves and it worked").
If you can provide an article that fits that bill, please do add it here (I'm also looking myself).
SMS basic texting is working for millions in North Carolina. Georgia and Florida
@brianwang I saw that – looks very promising! Waiting for some more independent confirmation though, which might possibly take a while.
@lxgr https://x.com/tmobilehelp/status/1844019562515489066?s=46&t=f-bNB2yoSVy4zrXsbxx_RA
Hello. T-Mobile has worked with SpaceX to provide this service during these times of inclement weather when it's crucial to stay connected. After it will be available for T-Mobile postpaid customers from T-Mobile, powered by Starlink. DM us with any questions. ^ShannonRobinson
T-Mobile president of technology
STARLINK exec
https://x.com/ulfewaldsson/status/1843815887620763847?s=46&t=f-bNB2yoSVy4zrXsbxx_RA
https://x.com/longmier/status/1843798715678752785?s=46&t=f-bNB2yoSVy4zrXsbxx_RA
@brianwang Again – looking for independent confirmation. Neither T-Mobile nor Starlink execs qualify as that in my view.
@brianwang The tweet says that they may offer SMS capabilities for T-Mobile users. Carrier-independent service seems to be for emergency alerts only.
Per the definition of this market, we'll need two-way texting with unmodified phones. Once we see confirmation of that, I'm likely to resolve as a "Yes", given that there are almost certainly more than 100 T-Mobile users in the affected areas.
If it remains emergency broadcast only, I won't resolve just yet.
@lxgr https://www.phonearena.com/news/FCC-allows-T-Mobile-and-SpaceX-to-launch-satellite-service-in-Helene-hit-areas_id163439
https://x.com/longmier/status/1843021254267408539
Ben Longmier @longmier SMS is working now to SpaceX and T-Mo test devices. We are working hard to see about turning on SMS for Helen and (hopefully future) Milton Hurricane areas. We have more orbital planes to deploy, so there are some gaps in coverage still.
@lxgr Yes it is not there yet but I think in the next day or two. They want to save lives by providing basic sms. Various SpaceX staff have relatives in North Carolina and Florida there will be no delays once the basic technical prep is done. FCC fully authorized. Once it is in anyway useful it will be turned on
@lxgr In addition to the thousands (>10k) of Starlink kits we are delivering in response to Hurricane Helene, the @Starlink team and @TMobile activated our Direct to Cell satellites to provide emergency alerts for all phones and carriers of those in affected areas.
The @FCC has also rapidly approved emergency special temporary authority for coverage in Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton.
We have now enabled basic texting (SMS) for those on T-Mobile phones in hurricane affected areas. Text messages have already been sent and received. You can text loved ones, text 911 and continue to receive emergency alerts.
If a phone connects to a Starlink satellite, it will have 1 to 2 bars of signal and show "T-Mobile SpaceX" in the network name. Users may have to manually retry text messages if they don't go through at first, as this is being delivered on a best-effort basis. The service works best outdoors, and occasionally works indoors near a window.
https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1842988427777605683
SpaceX and
have been given emergency special temporary authority by the
to enable
satellites with direct-to-cell capability to provide coverage for cell phones in the affected areas of Hurricane Helene. The satellites have already been enabled and started broadcasting emergency alerts to cell phones on all networks in North Carolina. In addition, we may test basic texting (SMS) capabilities for most cell phones on the T-Mobile network in North Carolina. SpaceX’s direct-to-cell constellation has not been fully deployed, so all services will be delivered on a best-effort basis.