Some Apple iPhone devices are now eligible to test SpaceX-owned Starlink’s direct-to-cell capability, which provides phone coverage from space, according to T-Mobile, a telecommunications company and partner in the program.
The American spacecraft manufacturer, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, and T-Mobile are currently beta-testing the Starlink cell network after receiving conditional approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last November.
The mobile carrier opened beta registration to a limited number of users in December.
Initial testing supports sending and receiving text messages, also referred to as “text via satellite,” along with location sharing and texting 911 emergency services while connected to Starlink’s satellites, according to the T-Mobile website.
During beta testing, the T-Mobile Starlink services will only be available to users in the United States. Voice and data features are expected to be made available at an unknown future date, according to T-Mobile.
As of now, only Apple devices running on iOS 18.3 or newer are eligible to take part in the beta tests. Previously T-Mobile opened the testing to a handful of users with Android smartphones.
Musk, who also owns electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, said future upgrades will add medium-resolution video support.
The Epoch Times has contacted Apple and SpaceX for comment.
In a statement at the time, the two companies said the collaboration would see SpaceX use its constellation of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit to provide high-speed internet access to cell phone users in the United States, including in remote parts where mobile coverage doesn’t currently exist.
Such areas, which include National Parks and mountainous areas, are commonly referred to as mobile dead zones and have typically been difficult to cover with traditional cell towers largely because of land-use restrictions and terrain limitations.
“Leveraging Starlink, SpaceX’s constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, and T-Mobile’s industry-leading wireless network, the Un-carrier plans to provide near complete coverage in most places in the U.S.—even in many of the most remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell signals,” the companies said in 2022 statement.
Multiple companies are currently competing in the low-Earth orbiting satellite internet sector. Satellite communications firm AST SpaceMobile is working on a global cellular broadband network that will operate with mobile devices without requiring hardware.
Project Kuiper, an initiative by Amazon.com Inc., also aims to provide fast and affordable broadband to communities globally through a series of satellites.
