SpaceX Starlink satellites provide cellular service to more than 27,000 people in hurricane-damaged areas of the United States

The SpaceX Starlink satellite system, using Direct to Cell technology, provided communications to more than 27,000 smartphones in the US in areas affected by the hurricane. This is mentioned in a statement that Elon Musk’s company submitted to Industry Canada.

Image source: Mariia Shalabaieva / unsplash.com

This week saw comments from industry insiders, including SpaceX, which mentioned using Starlink’s Direct to Cell satellite technology to help U.S. residents recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. .

«The positive impact on the affected communities was immediate. In just one day, more than 27,000 mobile devices connected to Direct to Cell satellites,” said a message published on SpaceX’s social media account X.

The Starlink satellite constellation uses orbiters to transmit cellular signals, allowing the system to transmit data to smartphones even when ground-based cell towers are unavailable. Last month, SpaceX received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to use Starlink satellites to transmit emergency alerts and SMS messages in hurricane-ravaged states such as Florida and North Carolina.

SpaceX said in a statement to Industry Canada that “in the system’s first few days, more than 250,000 text messages were sent via Direct to Cell, connecting loved ones, family members and emergency services during disasters.” This is consistent with a recent statement from a T-Mobile spokesperson, who said the Starlink system is used to carry “hundreds of thousands” of SMS messages.

«The Direct to Cell system continues to deliver thousands of messages while damaged ground telecommunications infrastructure is restored,” SpaceX said in a statement. These details provide insight into the capabilities of Starlink’s cellular satellites, of which there are more than 250 currently in orbit. SpaceX is currently working with one of the Canadian telecom operators on the possibility of implementing satellite communications in the country through the Starlink system.