Apple's iPhones now have the support for Starlink's Direct-to-Cell (D2C) coverage. Starlink has currently only enabled text facilities under the Direct-to-Cell service. Data and calling services are expected to be switched on at a later stage. T-Mobile has confirmed that they are currently testing the Starlink cell network on a trial basis. The permission for the trials was given by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in November last year, as per a Reuters report.
In the initial phase, only a few Android smartphones were eligible to be a part of the test, but now iPhones have also been added to the support. This support comes with the latest iOS 18.3 update which Apple started rolling out a day back. To know more about the iOS 18.3 update, refer to the link below.
Read Here - Apple Releases iOS 18.3: What to Know
With the Direct-to-Cell (D2C) service, Starlink aims to enable smartphone connectivity with the satellite without any additional hardware required. This will be a major breakthrough in network connectivity services globally.
Starlink explains the D2C service this way on its website, "Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities enable ubiquitous access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters. Direct to Cell will also connect IoT devices with common LTE standards."
Starlink calls this, "a cellphone tower in space." The service from Starlink aims to eliminate dead zones (network connectivity-wise) globally.
Read More - Starlink Expands Direct-to-Cell Services Globally
Many majoy telecom operators globally including T-Mobile (USA), Rogers (Canada), One NZ (New Zealand), KDDI (Japan), Optus (Australia), Entel (Chile), Entel (Peru), and Salt (Switzerland) have already partnered with Starlink to offer this service to their customers. In 2025, Direct-to-Cell support is also going to be extended to the IoT (Internet-of-Things) devices globally. Starlink also wants to partner with the Indian telecom operators, but that won't be possible until the government gives necessary approvals.
