Another innovation came in mobile phone technology, after which mobile phones will work even without cellular towers as mobile signals will now connect through space.
According to the details, Elon Musk, the owner of companies like Tesla, SpaceX and X (Twitter), has started a new project under which smartphones will no longer need cellular towers for signals.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has launched a plan to connect smartphones directly to satellites in low-Earth orbit to expand cellular and Internet connectivity in remote areas.
The company launched the initial set of StarLink satellites on January 2 aboard the Falcon 9 spacecraft. Satellites are specifically designed to connect directly to unmodified smartphones to better match mobile signals.
A total of 6 of the 21 Starlink satellites were launched by Falcon 9 rockets from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
In its initial phase the company obtained a temporary experimental license to begin testing the capability.
The six @Starlink Satellites on this mission with Direct to Cell capability will further global connectivity and help to eliminate dead zones → https://t.co/FgiJ7LOYdK pic.twitter.com/zFy7SrpsYs
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 3, 2024
These satellites are set to offer direct-to-cell capabilities, enabling direct access to satellite broadband on smartphones.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX plans to facilitate texting from space in partnership with cellular operators this year and will expand plans to enable voice and data connectivity in 2025.
In the US, SpaceX’s mobile partner T-Mobile’s spectrum will be used for the initial direct-to-smartphone tests, while the company has also partnered with mobile operators in Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland.
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