Starlink, the internet service venture founded by billionaire Elon Musk, has expanded its direct-to-cell service to five additional countries following a successful partnership with T-Mobile in the United States.
Gatekeepers News reports that as announced by one of the company’s engineers on the social media platform X, the Canadian telecom operator Rogers has joined the roster of providers supporting this innovative service. Other companies that have signed on include One in New Zealand, KDDI in Japan, Optus in Australia, and Salt in Switzerland.
Elon Musk confirmed the development via a response to the post, saying:
“Starlink’s new system enables Internet connectivity for your mobile phone with no extra equipment or special app. It just works.”
Musk recently hinted about Starlink’s plans to continue expanding its direct-to-mobile internet service into countries where it currently operates. This development aligns with SpaceX’s recent launch of 42 new satellites, 26 of which are equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities.
Musk has emphasised that Starlink will collaborate with network carriers in each respective country to facilitate the rollout of this service.
Nigeria became the first African nation to gain access to Starlink’s satellite internet in January 2023. The company’s latest launch in Botswana has increased its operational footprint in Africa to 15 countries, contributing to a total of 105 countries globally.
“We are starting off working with one carrier in each country, but ultimately hope to serve all carriers,” Musk said while speaking of the plans to expand the service globally.
With the new satellites, Starlink is promising the world access to communication services anywhere in the world.
“Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities enable ubiquitous access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters,” the company said in a post on its website.
