Elon Musk’s SpaceX will allow smartphones to directly connect with Starlink: Report

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation that provides internet in various parts of the world has reportedly received a go-ahead to launch an additional 7,500 satellites. This will help expand the reach of the internet as it will increase the number of Starlink low-orbiting satellites to over 10,000 over the next decade. Furthermore, it will also allow users to connect to the satellite-enabled internet directly via their smartphones without the need for any special equipment.

CNET reports that SpaceX hopes to offer internet service for smartphones via T-Mobile “by the time just half of those flying routers are operating.”

Starlink will be able “to provide voice, messaging, and basic web browsing at theoretical peak speeds of up to either 3.0 Mbps or 7.2 Mbps peak upload… and up to either 4.4 Mbps or 18.3Mbps on the downlink,” the filing reads.