SpaceX launches first set of direct-to-cell satellites

Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which plans to launch satellite communication services in India, has just launched the first batch of Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability that will enable direct satellite broadband connectivity on mobiles anywhere on Earth.

Musk, though, clarified that while the services can connect locations with no cellular connectivity, it would be quite slow and won’t be able to compete with existing terrestrial networks. This disputes claims by telecom operators like Reliance Jio that fear broadband via satellites won’t be any different from the 4G/5G services that carriers provide on mobiles.