Earlier today, SpaceX announced that, in partnership with American cell phone carrier T-Mobile, it plans to test satellite-to-cell phone calling this year.

Phone calls from space?

SpaceX, one of the most well-known space companies in 2023, frequently launching rockets and satellites. SpaceX has started offering its Starlink internet service for aircraft through its satellite network. Starlink has proved successful and reliable thus far, and according to CNBC, SpaceX is now looking at the next step: phone calls.

Jonathan Hofeller, SpaceX vice president of Starlink enterprise sales, said the following at a panel at a space conference,

“We’re going to learn a lot by doing — not necessarily by overanalyzing — and getting out there.”

To date, SpaceX has launched more than 4,000 satellites and is producing an average of six per day at its Seattle facility.

Last week, JSX invited media to test the Starlink WiFi on one of its aircraft, and Zach Griff from The Points Guy was very impressed. In some photos shared on Twitter, one of his speed tests surpassed 150mbps/second, which is incredible for aircraft. Rarely have I ever seen onboard WiFi surpass 10mbps.

Because of the quick speeds, Griff was able to make a video call with no troubles. Could this be the future of air travel? Though numbers are not as high as they were pre-pandemic, business bookings make up a considerable amount of air travel. With internet speeds improving significantly, business people may soon be able to participate in meetings from inside aircraft, breaking one of the last barriers of connectivity onboard.

T-Mobile taking over

T-Mobile is cementing its place as a powerhouse cell carrier in the US, partnering with multiple aircraft WiFi providers and airlines to provide free internet for its customers onboard. Additionally, the carrier signed a partnership with SpaceX in August 2022 to bring phone coverage to most locations in the US, even those typically unreachable by cell signals.

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A320 landing at LAX.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Last month, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian announced that the airline's plan to provide free WiFi to all passengers was almost ready to be implemented. At the CES tech conference in Las Vegas, the announcement was made that from February 1, free WiFi would be available on 80% of Delta's fleet. The Atlanta-based airline's entire fleet will be covered by 2024.

"At T-Mobile, we believe staying connected while traveling should be an easy, seamless experience. T-Mobile customers already get free in-flight Wi-Fi and now we’re partnering with Delta to bring that experience to all customers — regardless of their wireless provider — so that anyone flying Delta can enjoy online access from takeoff to touchdown." - Mike Sievert, Chief Executive Officer, T-Mobile

Last September, T-Mobile announced it had expended its in-flight coverage to United Airlines flights, joining American, Alaska, and Delta Air Lines. At first, the coverage was not available on all United aircraft, but from March 1, T-mobile customers on any United flight can take advantage of free WiFi.

What do you think about the capability to place phone calls inside aircraft? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: CNBC