- Musk’s firm competing in market for space-based services
- Satellite-to-cell capabilities not widely deployed yet
US regulators have green-lit some of SpaceX’s plans to supplement T-Mobile US Inc.’s cellular network using its Starlink satellites, expanding the Elon Musk-led company’s communications capabilities in a bid to reach more customers. In a Tuesday filing, the Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX approval to provide some coverage to consumer mobile phones. The direct-to-cell capabilities that SpaceX is deploying splice satellite service into the more traditional over-the-airwaves mobile networks. SpaceX has partnered with T-Mobile US Inc. to reach customers’ cell phones in dead zones with its growing Starlink system, which has more than 6,700 satellites in orbit. Customers can also purchase a dish from SpaceX to tap into the Starlink system for home broadband. Newer phones typically have the ability to work on both traditional terrestrial and satellite networks but the satellite-to-cell capabilities have not been widely commercially deployed yet. NN: Subscribers the StarLink systems we provided you allows cell phone access. If you would like a free StarLink contact Jim.