A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off, carrying 53 Starlink internet satellites, from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
Credit: Reuters File Photo
T-Mobile US said on Wednesday SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday with the first set of Starlink satellites that can beam phone signals from space directly to smartphones.
The US wireless carrier had announced back in August 2022 that it will use Elon Musk-owned SpaceX's Starlink satellites to provide mobile users with network access in parts of the United States.
Other wireless providers across the world, including Japan's KDDI, Australia's Optus, New Zealand's One NZ, Canada's Rogers will collaborate with SpaceX to launch direct-to-cell technology.
The direct-to-cell service at first will begin with text messaging followed by voice and data capabilities in the coming years, T-Mobile said.