Starlink sends first Twitter (X) post from ordinary phone to satellites, no expensive kit required

Starlink sends first Twitter (X) post from ordinary phone to satellites, no expensive kit required

 

Staff Reporter

 

Earlier this year we talked about Starlink putting cell towers in space to connect ordinary smartphones directly to satellites.

 

There has been talk about how big of a deal this would be because we already have smartphones. Clients would not need to buy the expensive kits that are on sale right now.

 

However, the service is not meant to compete with services like Econet and NetOne’s. It is meant for emergencies or in times when normal service from mobile network operators is down.

 

Starlink has been laying out the infrastructure for its Direct to Cell service. Today, Starlink tested it and posted a message to X (formerly Twitter).

 

The post by Starlink said, “This post was sent through a SpaceX Direct to Cell satellite.”

 

SpaceX’s Director of Satellite Engineering then gave us a little more context to the post.

 

The SpaceX team just completed the first post on X from a phone to one of our Direct to Cell satellites!

 

This was the tree cover in a small valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains earlier in the day when we were exchanging some DMs on X.

 

— Ben Longmier (@longmier) February 26, 2024

 

Post says, “The SpaceX team just completed the first post on X from a phone to one of our Direct to Cell satellites! This was the tree cover in a small valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains earlier in the day when we were exchanging some DMs on X.”

 

It is imperative to remember that the SpaceX post was sent from a smartphone, just like the one in your hand right now. The post went directly to a satellite and came back to Earth.

 

This is the equivalent ofcarrying satellite dishes in our pockets at this point.

 

Many in the comments section expressed disbelief saying they can’t wait for Direct to Cell to roll out globally, even if it will require that Starlink partners with Econet and NetOne.

 

Starlink still hasn’t applied to be in Zimbabwe as Government of Zimbabwe maintains that Starlink is yet to apply.

 

This past weekend, POTRAZ Deputy Director of Economic Tariffs and Competition Vengesai Magadzire said,

 

“As the regulator, POTRAZ is mandated to license operators in Zimbabwe but now Starlink has not submitted its application for the licence. We are waiting to hear from it and once it submits Potraz will do what is required.”

 

_TechZim_