SpaceX showed video showing the first video call between regular smartphones directly through the new Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell (DTC) technology. During the organization of a video communication channel used 4G/LTE band provided by T-Mobile US.
The test involved smartphones that were not specially modified in any way to work via Starlink.
Subject matter experts explained that, judging by the video, the first video call worked with difficulty, but it was still better than simply sending text using Direct to Cell . As new Starlink satellites with DTC support appear in orbit from SpaceX, the quality of communication will improve.
March 3, 2024 SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reported , that as part of the tests, the company's engineers recorded a maximum download speed of about 17 Mbps from a Starlink satellite with Direct to Cell (DTC) technology directly to an unmodified Samsung smartphone on Android. During measurements of data channel parameters, the 4G/LTE band provided by T-Mobile US was used.
SpaceX launched the first Direct to Cell satellites in early January, and a week later sent through them the first text messages. The company used 4G/LTE spectrum provided by T-Mobile US.
Starlink DTC satellites are equipped with special Phased Array antennas with high sensitivity receivers and powerful transmitters, which allows them to pick up signals from mobile phone antennas designed to connect to ground base stations.
Musk believes DTC is a "significant game changer" by eliminating cellular dead zones without competing with terrestrial networks. The technology provides voice, text and data services in remote areas without terrestrial infrastructure.
At the end of February, SpaceX published in X post via Direct to Cell. This is the first time that a post on the platform has been posted directly through satellites. “This post was published from a regular mobile phone directly through a SpaceX satellite, without any special equipment,” the company said in a statement.