SpaceX launched its first batch of satellites for direct-to-cell service on January 2, 2024, and has taken long to turn in some emphatic results. The Starlink satellite has delivered a delightfully commendable 17 Mbps download speed on a smartphone on the ground. The test used a 60.3 MB file to download with the device connected to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite for broadband internet connectivity.
Elon Musk tweeted the speed test which showed the data rate achieved on a Samsung phone. What’s also striking is that during the download of the 60.3 MB file, the download speed didn’t fall below 15.6 Mbps and peaked at 7.2 Mbps.
Taking into consideration, the speed is not too bad to start with. It’s almost a regular 4G LTE speed however at the lower end but certainly on par and faster than 3G. But SpaceX mobile service was shown to incur 15% packet loss.
According to Musk, the 17 Mbps download speed will be available in areas with minimal cellular coverage meaning where there’s no cellular interference. Over the years, SpaceX and T-Mobile will cooperate to deliver SMS, services, then voice and data in 2025.
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The goal is to launch the cellular Starlink system for T-Mobile users later this year, first to enable SMS messaging, before rolling out call and internet support in 2025.
The 17 Mbps speed means that Starlink satellite outperformed other industry players. Apple though starting Emergency SOS service since the iPhone 14 series, is still limited to text messaging. AT&T delivered 14 Mbps download speed with its prototype satellite in 2023. SpaceX’s direct-to-cell service plans to provide communication services including SMS, data, and IoT connectivity.
The US company currently has six direct-to-cell satellites in orbit and will have 840 in the next few months.