Starlink Cellular temporarily deployed in areas hit by Helene

SpaceX and T-Mobile temporarily deployed Starlink Direct-to-Cellular (aka Starlink Cellular) to help Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in affected areas. 

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted SpaceX and T-Mobile temporary authority to provide coverage through Starlink Direct-to-Cellular to cellphones in areas affected by the devastating category 4 hurricane.

“The satellites have already been enabled and started broadcasting emergency alerts to cell phones on all networks in North Carolina. In addition, we may test basic texting (SMS) capabilities for most cell phones on the T-Mobile network in North Carolina. SpaceX’s direct-to-cell constellation has not been fully deployed, so all services will be delivered on a best-effort basis,” announced SpaceX in an X post. 

Hurricane Helene hit several states, including North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. North Carolina was hit the hardest, with 116 deaths reported from the state out of the 232 people that have been verified as deceased across all the states that were hit by the hurricane. 

SpaceX and @TMobile have been given emergency special temporary authority by the @FCC to enable @Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability to provide coverage for cell phones in the affected areas of Hurricane Helene.

The satellites have already been enabled and…

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 6, 2024

“While SpaceX’s direct-to-cell constellation has not been fully deployed, we felt that getting even this early test version into the hands of people on the ground could provide vital support as teams work to get infrastructure and services back online and help first responders with rescue efforts,” said T-Mobile in a press release. 

In an interview with Jim Cramer, the cellular provider’s CEO Mike Sievert noted that SpaceX has 192 cellular Starlink satellites in Earth’s orbit. Starlink Cellular reportedly needs around 300 to offer complete services in the United States. Sievert estimated that Starlink Direct-to-Cellular beta tests could start by the end of the year or early 2025. However, some T-Mobile customers reportedly received access to Starlink Cellular briefly late last month, suggesting that SpaceX and the service provider have started some testing. 

According to Elon Musk, SpaceX has decided to offer Starlink Direct-to-Cellular emergency service access for free worldwide, subject to government approval. Using Starlink Cellular in North Carolina would demonstrate the emergency service’s capabilities in the future. 

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