Elon Musk has hinted that the “direct – to – cell” Starlink feature for mobile phones could potentially be extended beyond T – Mobile to other carriers like AT&T and Verizon, provided they show interest.
T – Mobile may not remain the only US carrier collaborating with SpaceX on the cellular Starlink service.
Over the weekend, CEO Elon Musk revealed that SpaceX has an exclusivity agreement with T – Mobile regarding the provision of cellular Starlink connectivity. However, this agreement seems to be of a short – term nature.
“For the first year, Starlink’s direct – to – mobile – phone Internet service is exclusive to T – Mobile in the US. Subsequently, other carriers may be included,” Musk tweeted. “We start by collaborating with one carrier per country, but our ultimate goal is to serve all carriers.”
This tweet implies that SpaceX might expand the availability of cellular Starlink to AT&T and Verizon, but only if these carriers enter into partnerships with the company. So far, these two competing carriers are endorsing a rival Texas – based startup named AST SpaceMobile. This startup is also getting ready to use orbiting satellites to transmit high – speed internet to ground – based mobile phones.
AST SpaceMobile is set to launch its first batch of commercial satellites this month, aiming to start beta testing with AT&T and Verizon as early as December. Nevertheless, the startup must deploy between 45 and 60 commercial satellites to achieve continuous coverage across the US.
Conversely, SpaceX has already launched over 160 satellites for its cellular Starlink system. This system is scheduled to start serving T – Mobile customers later this fall, beginning with text messaging, followed by the roll – out of internet and voice connectivity in 2025. Thus, Musk’s tweet indicates his intention to attract business from AT&T and Verizon, potentially at the expense of AST SpaceMobile.
Musk’s tweet came at a time when he has been actively promoting the advantages of the cellular Starlink service to obtain approval from the FCC, despite opposition from AT&T and Verizon. Last week, Musk pointed out that the cellular Starlink technology could offer free emergency services to any mobile phone in a cellular dead zone, even those of other carriers.
It’s also possible that Musk’s tweet pertains more to the cellular Starlink service operating exclusively within the US during the first year, before expanding to other markets such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, where SpaceX already has agreements with local carriers.
SpaceX and T – Mobile did not immediately respond to requests for comment.