Jan 29 2020: SpaceX successfully launches its fourth batch of internet-beaming Starlink satellites

Back in January 29 2020: SpaceX successfully launches its fourth batch of internet-beaming Starlink satellites

SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket, deploying 60 Starlink satellites into orbit and landed the rocket on a drone ship. The launch increases SpaceX's satellite constellation, intended to provide global internet coverage, to about 240.

The company plans up to 24 Starlink missions in the year to meet its licensing obligations and has already launched a batch earlier in January. Despite catching one half of the rocket's fairing, SpaceX missed the other, continuing their efforts to recover rocket parts efficiently. This follows a week of launch delays due to bad weather.

Fast forward to October 12 2023: SpaceX details Starlink-for-phones plan, launching in 2024

Starlink is updating its services to offer satellite-based cell phone connections directly to standard smartphones using LTE. Text service is expected by 2024 and voice and data by 2025. This innovation surpasses previous satellite phone connectivity, which required bulky equipment, by using closer, larger satellites that will allow regular phones to connect without any special changes.

SpaceX's Starship rocket will enable the launch of these advanced satellites, which will also support IoT services. Ultimately, users will enjoy seamless text, voice, and data access with expected speeds of 2-4Mbps anywhere with clear sky views.

What if you could seamlessly connect to high-speed Internet from anywhere on Earth, directly through space-based cell towers, with just your current smartphone?