SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Starlink’s direct-to-sale satellite service will begin its beta testing phase on January 27. This is a major step towards global mobile connectivity without relying on traditional ground-based. Cell towers. Musk confirmed the news in response to a similar Starlink post published by IBC Group founder Mario Navafal on Twitter.

“Direct Starlink Internet connection from satellite to cell phone begins beta testing in 3 days,” Musk wrote on X.

But, what exactly is direct-to-sale satellite service? This would allow mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, effectively bypassing traditional cellular infrastructure. It could revolutionize communications, enabling people to send messages, make calls, and browse the Internet from any location, even in remote or isolated areas that lack access to regular cell towers. . Nawafal described it as a “cell tower in space”, with the potential to eliminate dead zones and improve mobile communications. Notably, this service will not require users to have a new phone or additional hardware, as it works with existing devices.

The beta phase is expected to be an important milestone for SpaceX as it expands Starlink’s offerings. If successful, this new service could greatly benefit those living or traveling in areas with poor or no cellular coverage. In times of emergency, the service can be critical if traditional networks fail.

With this development, Starlink aims to address the long-standing issue of limited connectivity in rural and inaccessible locations. The introduction of the next generation Starlink satellites is expected to further increase speeds, potentially exceeding 2 Gbps, making it a promising development in global telecommunications.

SpaceX leveraged its experience in manufacturing and launching the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink satellites with direct-to-sale capability at scale. The Direct to Sale satellites were first reported to be launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and then on Starship. In orbit, the satellites connect to the Starlink constellation via laser backhaul to provide instant global connectivity.