Ordinary phones connected by satellite everywhere

How far are we from ordinary phones connecting by satellite everywhere?

Since November 2022, iPhone 14 models in the US and Canada have been able to send emergency text messages through Globalstar satellites when no cellular or Wi-Fi signal is available. In the US, T-Mobile's satellite texting with Starlink went live in July 2025, and by September 2025 some apps could use satellite data. AST SpaceMobile reports a 98.9 Mbps peak in one test over international waters, without a stated method. Full voice and broadband data on ordinary phones, everywhere, has not been shown. The main limits are satellite numbers, spectrum leases and handset support.

AI illustration · Illustrative scene, not a photograph of the specific device or experiment.
WHERE WE AREPilots

Close. Early pilots are running in the real world.

Emergency text via satellite on ordinary phones and carrier texting over satellite are in commercial use in the US and Canada, which is more than a demonstration. Coverage is limited, though: the sourced services are text and emergency messages, and the data that has been launched is limited to selected apps. A constellation large enough for continuous coverage has not been completed, and no operator has launched full voice and broadband data on ordinary phones. That places the technology at pilot, not scaling.

The tech tree

Everything recorded on Vrulum that this future needs, oldest foundations at the top and the goal at the bottom. Lines show what each step requires.

What it takes: Ordinary phones connected by satellite everywhere Unlocked Being researched Locked
  1. 2022Direct-to-phone satellite messagingPilot and early commercial Unlocked.
  1. 2022Emergency text via satellite on ordinary phonesDone Unlocked.
  2. 2024US regulatory framework for satellite service on mobile spectrumDone Unlocked.
  3. 2024FCC approval of SpaceX direct-to-cell service with T-MobileDone Unlocked.
  4. 2025Carrier texting by satellite on ordinary phonesDone Unlocked.
  5. 2025Satellite data limited to selected appsIn progress Being researched.
  6. 2026AST SpaceMobile constellation authorised by the FCCIn progress Being researched.
  7. 2026Broadband-level data on ordinary phonesIn progress Being researched.
  8. Date not recordedContinuous satellite coverage for ordinary phonesNot started Locked.
  9. Date not recordedFull voice and data on ordinary phones, everywhereNot started Locked.
  1. GoalOrdinary phones connected by satellite everywhereGoalRequires: Direct-to-phone satellite messaging, Emergency text via satellite on ordinary phones, Carrier texting by satellite on ordinary phones, Satellite data limited to selected apps, Broadband-level data on ordinary phones, US regulatory framework for satellite service on mobile spectrum, FCC approval of SpaceX direct-to-cell service with T-Mobile, AST SpaceMobile constellation authorised by the FCC, Continuous satellite coverage for ordinary phones, Full voice and data on ordinary phones, everywhere. Locked.

The road so far

4 of 9 steps done, 3 in progress.

  1. Done · Nov 2022Emergency text via satellite on ordinary phones

    Apple announced on 10 November 2022 that Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro would launch in the US and Canada later that month. It uses one of Globalstar's 24 low Earth orbit satellites and is meant for contacting emergency services and sharing location, when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi signal. Apple's announcement does not say whether the service is free or for how long. Apple's $450 million investment went mainly to Globalstar's network and ground stations. [1]

  2. Done · 23 Jul 2025Carrier texting by satellite on ordinary phones

    T-Mobile's T-Satellite texting, which works with Starlink, launched on 23 July 2025 in the US. A September 2025 report confirms the service officially launched that day, with a focus on SMS and MMS. A June 2025 pre-launch report lists SMS, MMS, photo messaging and short audio clips for the July launch. Neither source describes voice calling as part of the launch. T-Mobile's own support and newsroom pages could not be opened, so this step relies on secondary reports. [2][3]

  3. In progress · Sept 2025Satellite data limited to selected apps

    A September 2025 report says that Starlink's direct-to-cell data works with selected apps, including Google Maps, WhatsApp and X, plus several system apps. The report says it is not a replacement for broadband or 5G and gives no speed figures or device list. Coverage is limited to the apps on the list. [3]

  4. In progress · May 2026Broadband-level data on ordinary phones

    AST SpaceMobile's FAQ says it reached peak data speeds of 98.9 Mbps in international waters in May 2026. The page lists the result under both its BlueWalker 3 test satellite and its BlueBirds 1 to 5, without saying which one was used. It does not name the handset, the test method, the traffic direction or the number of users. Peak speed from one test is not typical speed. The result is a company claim and has not been independently checked. [4]

  5. Done · 14 Mar 2024US regulatory framework for satellite service on mobile spectrum

    The FCC adopted supplemental coverage from space rules at its meeting on 14 March 2024. The rules let terrestrial licence holders lease their spectrum rights to a satellite operator, which can then offer supplemental coverage in the 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, broadband PCS and AWS-H bands. The satellite use is secondary to terrestrial services, and is allowed only where licence holders agree to the lease. The FCC order text and FCC pages could not be opened in this review, so the details come from a trade report. [8]

  6. Done · 26 Nov 2024FCC approval of SpaceX direct-to-cell service with T-Mobile

    The FCC order released on 26 November 2024 approved SpaceX's direct-to-cell service with T-Mobile. The trade report calls it the FCC's first approval of supplemental coverage from space. The report does not state the satellite count, spectrum bands, Alaska coverage or lease terms, so these details are not given here. [6]

  7. In progress · 21 Apr 2026AST SpaceMobile constellation authorised by the FCC

    On 21 April 2026 the FCC released an order approving AST SpaceMobile's 248-satellite constellation for supplemental coverage from space, using 700 MHz and 800 MHz spectrum coordinated with Verizon, AT&T and FirstNet. Conditions require 124 satellites to be launched by 2 August 2030 and the full constellation completed by 2 August 2033. AST's FAQ describes a US beta with AT&T and Verizon that is not continuous, with no commercial date given. [7][4]

  8. Not startedContinuous satellite coverage for ordinary phones

    AST SpaceMobile says that 45 to 60 BlueBird satellites would enable continuous coverage in select markets, and about 90 would give 24/7 coverage worldwide. Trade reporting gives the company's plan as 45 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026, with a launch every one to two months on average. The sources reviewed do not show either figure reached. The FCC authorisation covers 248 satellites, with build deadlines in 2030 and 2033. [4][7]

  9. Not startedFull voice and data on ordinary phones, everywhere

    None of the sourced services gives full voice calling and broadband data to ordinary phones across all areas. The sourced operator services are text, emergency messages and selected-app data. The AST beta is not continuous, and no commercial start date is given. [4][3]

Why it matters

Phones that connect by satellite would cover the places where mobile towers do not reach, including remote land, sea and disaster areas. Emergency texting already shows the value. Full voice and data would turn a backup into a normal network, and would raise questions about spectrum, interference and who pays for coverage.

What stands in the way

  • Satellite service on mobile spectrum depends on leases from terrestrial licence holders, and is secondary to their use, under the FCC rules as reported by Telecompetitor.
  • Standard LTE from low Earth orbit to unmodified phones has problems with random access, HARQ timing and handover, according to Ericsson. Ericsson presents 3GPP Release 17 NR-NTN as the approach that addresses these, and says its device ecosystem is still developing, with few devices supporting it.
  • The sources reviewed do not show a continuous constellation in orbit. AST's own figures are 45 to 60 for continuous coverage in select markets and about 90 for worldwide 24/7 coverage, and the FCC authorisation covers 248.
  • Speed claims are company-reported. The 98.9 Mbps test has no stated method, handset or traffic direction, and no independent result has been found.
  • Current data services are limited to selected apps, and the operators say satellite data is not a replacement for broadband or 5G. Capacity per satellite cell, and how it is shared among many users, is not given in the sources.

Published forecasts

What others have predicted. These are their estimates, not ours.

WhoForecastTimeframeMade
AST SpaceMobileThe company's stated plan is to have 45 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026, as reported in April 2026. This is a company plan, not an independent forecast. [7]202622 Apr 2026

Signals to watch

  • AST SpaceMobile reaching 45 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026, as its stated plan says.
  • A published commercial start date and coverage map for AST's US service with AT&T and Verizon.
  • T-Mobile or Starlink publishing speed, capacity or device figures for its satellite data service.
  • Phones with 3GPP Release 17 NR-NTN support appearing on sale in volume.
  • Disputes over power limits or interference between satellite operators and terrestrial licensees, which could change the conditions for satellite use of mobile spectrum.

Sources

  1. company announcement
    Emergency SOS via satellite made possible by $450M Apple investment
    Apple Newsroom, 10 Nov 2022.
  2. news
    T-Mobile and Starlink to launch T-Satellite texting service on July 23, data coming in October
    Darryn John. Drive Tesla Canada, 24 Jun 2025.
  3. news
    Starlink Expands T-Mobile Direct-to-Cell Capabilities, Adding Data Support for Popular Apps
    Matt Wilson. Drive Tesla Canada, 8 Sept 2025.
  4. company announcement
    AST SpaceMobile FAQs
    AST SpaceMobile, May 2026.
  5. review article
    Satellite direct-to-device communication
    S. Song, S. Euler, F. Ghasemifard et al.. Ericsson Technology Review, 11 Dec 2025.
  6. news
    FCC Approves Starlink Direct-to-Cell Service With T-Mobile
    Via Satellite, 27 Nov 2024.
  7. news
    FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile Commercial Authorization for Direct-to-Device Service
    Via Satellite, 22 Apr 2026.
  8. news
    Satellite to Cellphone Progress: FCC Adopts Supplemental Coverage From Space Rules
    Telecompetitor, 14 Mar 2024.

Last reviewed 21 Oct 2026.