SpaceX just demonstrated its first Starlink phone-to-phone video call without special hardware

SpaceX has been planning a Starlink-backed satellite cell service for some time now, and the company has just reached a major milestone.

In the demo, a video call is made using X to demonstrate the functionality of the Starlink Direct to Cell satellite. SpaceX and T-Mobile co-announced plans to deploy Starlink-based satellite cellular coverage in July 2023. SpaceX now says it’s “excited to launch T-Mobile later this year,” pointing to a 2024 launch goal .

While phone makers like Apple have integrated satellite calling features for emergency purposes in recent years, SpaceX and T-Mobile could stand out by offering full phone use in areas without cellular coverage.

See the demo in action below: