Elon Musk’s SpaceX marked a milestone by launching its initial Direct-to-Phone/Direct-to-Cell Starlink satellites, supplementing the existing low-earth orbit (LEO) constellation
A Falcon 9 rocket carried six of these innovative satellites alongside 15 regular Starlink satellites from Vandenburg US Space Force base in California.
The liftoff took place on January 2, 2023, following several delays from the original mid-December 2023 schedule.
Featuring cutting-edge eNodeB modems, these direct-to-cell satellites will initially facilitate cellular texting, slated to expand to voice and data services by 2025 without necessitating hardware, firmware, or app alterations for existing LTE phones.
However, Starlink doesn’t appear geared toward providing direct-to-phone services to individual users but is inviting major telecom operators to leverage Starlink for roaming connectivity, particularly in areas challenging for traditional mobile tower infrastructure.
South Africa’s mobile networks view this satellite connectivity as a supplementary service rather than a replacement for existing infrastructure, echoing Musk's acknowledgment of initial satellite limitations – offering around 7Mbps per beam with restricted capacity, notably lower than the residential Starlink service capable of speeds over 150Mbps per customer through dedicated ground dishes.
Starlink, a part of SpaceX, has inked deals with prominent cellular network providers worldwide, including T-Mobile (US), Rogers (Canada), Optus (Australia), One NZ (New Zealand), KDDI (Japan), Salt (Switzerland), and Entel (Chile). This positions Starlink uniquely as it's backed by SpaceX, the globe's largest private space enterprise.
MTN, a leading South African network, is actively exploring Starlink's direct-to-cell potential to enhance coverage in remote regions. MTN Group's Mazen Mroué, chief technology and information officer, confirmed ongoing enterprise-grade trials of Starlink in Rwanda and Nigeria, signaling their interest in leveraging satellite connectivity.
Additionally, MTN is engaging with other providers like Lynk Global, AST SpaceMobile, and Eutelsat OneWeb. Lynk Global trials are slated for South Africa and Ghana.
On the other hand, Vodacom has secured agreements with Amazon’s Project Kuiper and AST SpaceMobile. However, Cell C remains discreet about its discussions with an LEO satellite internet provider, while Telkom hasn't yet initiated discussions with such providers. This landscape underscores the telecom industry's diverse pursuits in harnessing satellite-based solutions for enhanced connectivity.
