On November 29th, SpaceX launched the first batch of satellites for direct mobile communication. T-Mobile users can now send text messages.

SpaceX, the space exploration company owned by Tesla (Elon Musk), launched its first batch of satellites to support mobile communication on Tuesday evening. T-Mobile, a US telecommunications operator, is the partner for these six satellites. The Starlink satellite system under SpaceX will provide services to existing mobile phones in space, acting as telecommunication towers, instead of using dedicated communication devices.

SpaceX is currently focused on providing more signal coverage to remote areas and announced in August 2022 that it will offer direct mobile phone services. The Starlink satellites launched this time will operate like mobile signal towers in space. They will directly connect to existing mobile phones, enabling text messaging in areas with weak or no traditional mobile signals, without the need for specialized devices. Kate Tice, SpaceX's Senior Quality Systems Engineering Manager, stated in a live webcast on Tuesday that these satellites will eventually be able to provide voice and data services.

SpaceX received approval from the US government last month to conduct tests for a service called "Direct to Cell". Tesla posted on the social media website X that this service "will allow mobile connectivity anywhere on Earth", but added that due to technical limitations, it "does not have substantial competitiveness with existing terrestrial mobile networks".

Currently, major telecommunications companies are competing for the satellite communication market, providing phone services that connect to ordinary consumer mobile phones. SpaceX is partnering with T-Mobile, while AT&T is partnering with satellite operator AST SpaceMobile Inc. Previously, Apple's iPhone allowed users to send text messages to emergency personnel via satellites and report emergencies in areas without cellular network coverage.

In addition, SpaceX will collaborate with operators in other parts of the world, including Optus in Australia, Salt Mobile SA in Switzerland, Rogers Communications Inc. in Canada, One New Zealand Group Ltd. in New Zealand, Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones SA in Chile and Peru, and KDDI Corp. in Japan.

It is reported that Starlink is expected to generate approximately $10 billion in total sales this year, surpassing its rocket launch business and accounting for two-thirds of total sales. There have been reports that Tesla is considering an IPO for its rapidly growing Starlink satellite business by 2024.