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A satellite cell phone plan from Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, in partnership with the American telecommunications company T-Mobile, is expected to begin commercial operation in the United States and other parts of the world in July. Understand, in this article, what it is Direct to Cell, when the service is expected to arrive in Brazil and how to use it. 6t6139
What is Direct to Cell? 1q1r2m
The basis of the long-awaited satellite internet service from Starlink is in technology Direct to Cell, developed in partnership with the T-Mobile in the United States, which allows the company's satellites to function as cell towers in space.
The operation of the Direct to Cell relies on the use of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, around 550 km from Earth, which offer advantages in of lower latency and higher data transmission speeds compared to the geostationary satellites that are already used for internet services.
The satellites of the Starlink that enable this direct connectivity to cell phones are equipped with advanced modems eNodeB, essentially functioning as mobile phone base stations in orbit around the Earth. The technology uses already established LTE standards and is compatible with conventional modems, facilitating its integration with the mobile communication protocols that are already in use.
A big advantage of this method is that it does not require additional hardware, such as antennas for conventional services. Starlink, or specific applications on the 's smartphone, making the service accessible to a wide range of existing devices.
The technology has the potential to offer universal coverage, reaching remote areas of Brazil, for example, where traditional mobile phone infrastructure faces considerable challenges, such as the Amazon.
Watch a video demonstrating the Direct to Cell da Starlink, from YouTuber DISHYtech (with Portuguese dubbing done by AI):
What is the current stage of implementation of Direct-to-Cell? 6c383t
The service’s rollout in the U.S. has been gradual, with the goal of rigorously testing and optimizing each service before a wide-scale launch. Initially launched in 2024 with for text messaging and for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), there are plans to introduce data connectivity and IoT (Internet of Things) later in 2025, as well as incorporating voice and video calling, file s and even live streaming at a later stage, according to the GSMArena.
In the USA, T-Mobile offered a beta test with free satellite internet for cell phones until July 2025, open even to customers of competitors, such as AT&T. After commercial launch, the service is expected to be included at no additional cost in the company’s “Go5G Next” plan. T-Mobile.
Subscribers on other plans will be able to add it for an extra monthly fee of $15, and customers on other carriers should be able to access the service for a separate charge of between $20 and $25 per month. According to Starlink, the main objective of partnerships with telecommunications companies is to eliminate so-called “dead zones” in mobile coverage, offering comprehensive connectivity in regions that were previously inaccessible to conventional cell towers.
By integrating the satellite infrastructure of Starlink with mobile network technology, the service aims to provide automatic connectivity for most smartphones launched in the last four years, regardless of the operating system. The T-Mobile, including, collaborates with global roaming partners and with SpaceX to potentially expand satellite services to customers traveling internationally.
Among the global partners of Starlink for the promotion of the service Direct to Cell they are Optus e Telstra in Australia, the Japanese KDDI and Rogers, from Canada. The South American Entel, which is expected to offer the service, so far, in Chile and Peru, is carrying out tests of satellite messaging in the Atacama region and the operator One NZ, New Zealand, began testing the service, called “Satellite TXT".
When will Direct to Cell arrive in Brazil? 22l2k
Although the Starlink have obtained a license from National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) to operate fixed broadband services in Brazil by 2027, the provision of satellite internet for cell phones in Brazil still depends on specific regulation and partnerships. Thus, the expectation is that the Direct to Cell is available in Brazil in July, simultaneously with the commercial launch in the United States, may be rushed.
To date, the company has Elon Musk has not announced agreements with any of the main Brazilian operators, such as Clear, Living e Team, which together control more than 95% of the national market, according to Teleco Consulting. Although the Starlink already promote the Direct to Cell On its Portuguese website, Brazil does not yet appear among the countries listed as the company's global partners for implementing the technology.
However, while the Starlink has not yet formalized agreements in the country, Anatel has been advancing in the regulation of mobile internet via satellite. In 2024, the agency approved a sandbox regulatory – an experimental and controlled environment for testing new technologies – aimed at direct communication services between satellites and mobile devices, called Direct-to-Device (D2D). This initiative also allowed the operation of the non-geostationary satellites of Omnispace in Brazil.
Within this testing environment, the Clear has successfully completed its initial experiments with mobile satellite internet. “The success of the satellite tests D2D in Maranhão is a clear example of how these initiatives can bring concrete benefits to society, expanding digital inclusion and improving the quality of life in remote areas”, he said Alexandre Freire, representative of the Internet Steering Committee da Anatel.
With regulation moving forward quickly and companies already testing the technology in the country, the launch of a mobile satellite internet plan from Starlink in Brazil it may even be closer – although it depends on regulatory adjustments and possible partnerships in the future.
Prices and plans: how should it work in Brazil? 3d1v5h
Without an official announcement, the Direct to Cell does not have plans with defined prices in Brazil. If we take the US market as a reference, where the beta is free and the commercial launch will include the service in the plan of T-Mobile at no additional cost (with extra charges for other plans), it is likely that the Starlink adopt a similar approach in Brazil.
This means the company, together with its carrier partner, must introduce paid plans as it expands services beyond text messaging to include voice calls and internet access. The pricing model in the U.S., in which non-mobile phone customers T-Mobile can pay a separate monthly subscription, it can also serve as a basis for future paid offers in Brazil, possibly in partnership with local operators.
As the main focus of this phase appears to be ensuring essential connectivity, such as messaging and emergency calling, it is possible that the company's free satellite internet offering will be extended to Starlink in Brazil is directed, above all, to regions without traditional network coverage, with possible limitations in bandwidth and functionality. However, as the testing environment in Brazil is already being carried out by other companies, it is also plausible to consider that Starlink arrive in the country with paid plans already defined.
In the meantime, it is possible to hire mobility-focused plans called “travel plans” from Starlink, which include portable antenna kits that are useful for those who travel a lot. Plans range from the cheapest at R$55 (10 GB plan) to R$2.560 (Global Travel) – see How to hire Starlink services in Brazil.
Which smartphones are already being tested with the technology? 5s293r
The list of compatible brands and models includes popular devices in Brazil, such as:
| Brand | Compatible Models |
|---|---|
| Apple | iPhone 14 and later, including Plus and Pro models. |
| Samsung | Galaxy A series: A14, A15, A16, A35, A53, and A54. Galaxy S series: S21 and above, including Plus, Ultra, and Fan Edition (FE) versions. Foldables: Galaxy Z Flip3 and Z Fold3 and above. |
| Motorola | Models released from 2024, including Razr, Razr+, Edge and G series. |
| Pixel 9 line. (Not officially sold in Brazil). |
Although the July 2025 date is speculative for the launch in Brazil, the intention of Starlink to expand its services globally, along with the successful development of technology in the United States in partnership with T-Mobile and the efforts of Anatel, suggests that its arrival on the Brazilian market is a matter of time. Stay tuned for showmetech to find out how to use Direct to Cell in Brazil, once confirmed.
Do you think the Anatel will be able to approve the technology by the time of commercial launch Direct to Cell? Tell us in the comments.
Learn more about Direct to Cell
Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 27 / 03 / 2025.
Great tip. Very enlightening and complete.