SpaceX launches Starlink Mobile, offering mobile satellite connectivity up to 150 Mbps.

SpaceX launches “Starlink Mobile” – a satellite network for mobile devices

1. What was announced at MWC 2026
At the Mobile World Congress in March, SpaceX unveiled its new Starlink Mobile service. It is not intended to compete with terrestrial operators but to complement them: satellites will cover areas where no 4G/5G base station exists.

2. Current infrastructure*
650 first‑generation satellites are already operating in low Earth orbit.

* They serve more than 16 million unique users and 10 million partner subscribers per month (T‑Mobile, Rogers, KDDI).

* By the end of 2026 the company plans to grow its customer base to 25 million.

The satellite network provides “the widest geographic coverage of 4G in the world,” replacing ground stations where they are unavailable.

3. Second‑generation plan*
A second line of satellites will be launched mid‑2027 using Starship rockets.

* Each launch can carry more than 50 payloads, and within six months after deployment a group of roughly 1 200 satellites is expected – enough for global continuous coverage.

* In the long term the network aims to expand to 15 000 satellites, as stated in the regulatory filing.

4. Technical improvements*
The maximum connection speed is planned to rise to 150 Mbps.

* New satellites will have antennas five times larger, and the bandwidth of a single beam will quadruple.

* Currently the service provides video calls and text messaging at about 4 Mbps when terrestrial coverage is absent.

5. Business strategy and positioning
Elon Musk originally viewed Starlink Mobile as a competitor, but now the company emphasizes the role of satellites in a hybrid network: they complement rather than replace ground stations, extending operators’ capabilities where their infrastructure is limited.

6. Branding issue
After rebranding Direct‑to‑Cell to Starlink Mobile confusion arose: each partner promotes its own name – T‑Mobile uses T‑Satellite, Rogers uses Rogers Satellite. This hampers consistent communication with users.

7. Frequency range and device compatibility
SpaceX purchased additional spectrum from EchoStar, allowing U.S. smartphones to support Starlink Mobile just two years after launch. The deal will officially close by the end of 2027, after which most American devices will be ready for the service.

Conclusion: SpaceX plans to roll out a mobile satellite network that will begin operation in 2027 and gradually expand coverage to hundreds of millions of devices. The service will serve as an addition to terrestrial operators, ensuring network availability even in remote locations.