SpaceX Completes Gen-1 Direct-to-Cellular Deployment, Expanding Global Satellite Connectivity

SpaceX wraps up its first-gen Direct-to-Cellular satellite fleet, serving 12 million people and planning 2026 expansion to the UK and Africa.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 25, 2026, 5:46 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Advanced Television

Achieving the Gen-1 Milestone

SpaceX’s ambitious Direct-to-Cellular project has reached a critical operational milestone with the completion of its initial satellite constellation. Over the course of 18 months, the company successfully placed more than 650 specialized DTC satellites into orbit. This initial fleet was designed to prove the viability of satellite-to-phone communication without requiring specialized hardware, and its completion marks the transition from an experimental phase to a robust global service capability.

Widespread Emergency Impact

The real-world utility of the system has already been demonstrated on a significant scale. SpaceX reports that approximately 12 million people have utilized Starlink’s emergency connectivity services during the Gen-1 deployment phase. By allowing standard unmodified smartphones to connect directly to satellites in areas where terrestrial towers are unavailable, the system has provided a vital lifeline in remote regions and during natural disasters where traditional infrastructure was compromised.

Expanding Global Partnerships

The Starlink DTC service is currently active or partnered with major telecommunications providers across five continents. Key partners include T-Mobile in the United States, Rogers in Canada, and both Optus and Telstra in Australia. Other confirmed operational regions include New Zealand with One NZ, Japan via KDDI, Switzerland with Salt, and Chile and Peru through Entel. These partnerships allow Starlink to integrate its satellite backhaul with existing mobile networks, offering seamless coverage to standard subscribers.