The service Direct to Cell aims to allow millions of users to stay connected, even where no land mobile network passes. And the best news is that this connection will be free for certain functions … provided you have a compatible smartphone.
Global coverage without antenna or app
From July 2025, the first smartphones compatible with Starlink Direct to Cell will be able to connect directly to the satellite network, without going through a box, a parable or a relay antenna. This service, already in the advanced test phase, is based on a constellation of satellites capable of dialogue directly with our phones, as would a classic 4G antenna. No accessory or specific application is required: everything happens in the background, in a completely transparent way.
The service will first be launched in the United States via a partnership with the operator T-Mobile, then gradually extended to other regions of the world. New Zealand is also on the ranks. In France, no official date has yet been announced, but discussions would be underway with several operators.
A free, but limited service (for now)
But beware, because this free connectivity will not replace your classic package. It activates only in the absence of traditional mobile coverage, in other words in the famous “white areas”, whether in the mountains, in the sea or in the middle of the desert. And above all, it will be limited to certain functions.
Concretely, compatible smartphones will be able to send and receive SMS, share their GPS position, and make emergency calls. This trio of services targets security above all, by ensuring minimal communication where the usual networks are absent. In the event of an accident, breakdown or need for location, this satellite connection can make all the difference.
Ultimately, Starlink plans to expand the field of possibilities. Voice calls and internet access (even low speed) should follow by 2026-2027. But for the first months, it will be necessary to be satisfied with the bare minimum in an additional framework.
What smartphones are concerned?
Good news: there is no need for a brand new or high -end device! Compatibility is based on the management of the frequency bands used by Starlink and an adapted software update. To date, several models have been confirmed as compatible, mainly at Apple, Samsung, Google and Motorola.
At Apple, the iPhone 14, 15 and 16 are in the list. Same thing at Samsung, with the Galaxy S21, S22, S23, S24, S25 and recent A or Z models. The Google Pixel 9 and the latest Motorola models (Razr, EDGE, Moto G 5G…) will also be there. T-Mobile also offers its own compatible models, such as RevVL 7.
Compatibility will also depend on the country, the operator, and any agreements with Starlink. In France, we are still waiting for official announcements on this point.
A major advance for white areas
This ambitious project is part of a broader desire to abolish non -covered areas worldwide. Starlink promises a complete coverage, whether in the middle of the forest, hiking, or on a sailboat in the middle of the Atlantic. For professionals on the go, help, travelers or residents of rural areas, this represents a major advance.
It is not yet a replacement for the classic mobile network, nor an alternative to fiber or 5G, but an efficient and autonomous rescue system. And in many cases, it is precisely when everything else falls that this kind of technology becomes essential.
And in France?
For the moment, nothing has yet been signed between Starlink and French operators, but everything suggests that the arrival of service in France is only a matter of time. Starlink coverage is already operational for fixed internet connections, and the satellite infrastructure continues to expand. It will be necessary to closely monitor the ads of Free, Orange, Bouygues or SFR in the coming months.
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