SpaceX is reportedly collaborating with partners to embed chips into smartphones which would support a Starlink direct-to-device (D2D) service. This system would then be enabled by wireless spectrum purchased from EchoStar.
Bloomberg reported SpaceX president and COO Gwynne Shotwell revealed the company is partnering with chip companies during a space conference on the 16th September in Paris.
Elon Musk recently explained it will take around two years for manufacturers to modify their chips for AWS-4 spectrum, with time also needed to build satellites which can use it.
T-Mobile US is providing SpaceX’s Starlink birds with its PCS G-block which is currently being used for the operator’s T-Satellite text messaging service.
Musk hasn’t ruled out other mobile operators gaining access to Starlink’s birds to offer similar services once the deal with T-Mobile expires.
However, since SpaceX struck its deal to buy EchoStar’s AWS-4 spectrum earlier this month the mobile industry has been on edge about Musk creating a competing D2D service.
Shotwell told Bloomberg SpaceX will “be now initiating discussions with telcos in a different way”.
“Now it’s our spectrum, but we want to work with them, almost providing capacity and wholesaling capacity to their customers”, she explained to the news site.
She told Bloomberg SpaceX plans to conduct D2D mobile phone tests near the end of 2026.
The news publication noted SpaceX will still need ground-based mobile licences to enable its D2D service, which appears to be why it is willing to strike more partnerships with mobile operators.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: SpaceX
