SpaceX is doing more than just bringing internet to rural homes with Starlink. As reported by WebProNews, it’s now testing ways to connect phones and sensors directly to satellites – no special equipment required. The approach, known as direct-to-cell, could help solve one of the biggest problems in connectivity: reaching areas where regular cell services don’t.
One of the more interesting developments is Starlink’s move into IoT support. According to a recent report from PCMag, Starlink satellites are already being used to monitor remote devices – including beehives – in places where cellular networks don’t reach.
Beehives in New Zealand show what’s possible
In New Zealand, mobile carrier One NZ is using Starlink to track beehives in areas with little or no signal. Small sensors placed in the hives measure temperature, movement, and hive activity. That data is then sent directly to Starlink satellites, skipping the need for cell towers altogether. It’s a small use case, but it shows how direct-to-satellite connections can help manage equipment in hard-to-reach areas – especially in farming or conservation work.
SpaceX has talked about supporting IoT devices since the early days of Starlink. Now, that support is starting to take shape, with the company aiming to offer global voice, data, and IoT services by 2025. Text messaging via satellite is already being tested with carriers like T-Mobile in the US.
What direct-to-cell could mean for global networks
SpaceX’s plan involves launching hundreds of direct-to-cell satellites that act like orbiting cell towers. The satellites use spectrum provided by partners and connect with existing mobile networks, working like roaming coverage in places where there’s normally none.
That could be a major shift for industries that rely on real-time data from remote areas – like shipping, disaster response, and environmental monitoring. If the technology works as expected, it could reduce the need for building expensive infrastructure in places with low population density or harsh terrain.
But getting there isn’t simple. Regulatory approvals are still needed in many regions, and other players – like Amazon’s Project Kuiper – are working on similar services. To keep up coverage, SpaceX needs to launch and maintain a large number of satellites, which adds to the complexity. Low Earth orbit systems also have to deliver data with low delay – a challenge for some IoT use cases that require quick response times.
More carriers, more features on the way
T-Mobile and SpaceX are working together, and upcoming updates could expand the service to include images and app-based messaging by October. The rollout appears to be slow and steady, likely to make sure things work before the service is expanded more broadly.
Industry watchers say this could eventually reshape how businesses think about connectivity. Instead of relying on local networks, devices could connect straight to satellites – anywhere, anytime. For now, it’s still early days. But even small projects, such as the beehive monitoring example, suggest that satellite-backed IoT could be more than a backup, rather a default option in places where nothing else works.
As more satellites go up and more mobile carriers come on board, a mix of cellular and satellite tech may offer a new level of connectivity – one that doesn’t depend on how close transmitting devices are to a cell tower.
(Photo by ANIRUDH)
See also: Why Wi-Fi might be the smartest sensor in the house
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