Home
Internet
Internet News
SpaceX’s Starlink Reportedly Eyes Expansion Into Mobile Device Market and Direct to Device Connectivity

SpaceX’s Starlink Reportedly Eyes Expansion Into Mobile Device Market and Direct-to-Device Connectivity

Analysts reportedly estimate that the direct-to-device market could be worth billions of dollars in the next several years.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by Ketan Pratap | Updated: 6 February 2026 09:29 IST

SpaceX’s Starlink Reportedly Eyes Expansion Into Mobile Device Market and Direct-to-Device Connectivity

Photo Credit: SpaceX

Elon Musk's satellite internet service is said to be in the final stages of launching in India

Click Here to Add Gadgets360 As A Trusted Source

Highlights

Elon Musk said a Starlink phone is possible but not in development
Reports suggest Starlink could consider direct-to-phone communication
Starlink’s growth is helping fund SpaceX’s long-term ambitions

SpaceX's Starlink looks to expand beyond broadband connectivity and introduce new services such as direct-to-phone communication. According to a report, the satellite internet service's mobile device could connect to the constellation of Starlink satellites and rival smartphones. Starlink's rising subscriber base and expanding range of use cases are reportedly helping SpaceX strengthen its commercial business and fuel the long-term vision. It is also said to have plans to expand direct-to-device internet and space-tracking services.

SpaceX's Starlink Expansion Plans

Citing sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reported that Starlink has had plans for mobile devices for years. Responding to an X user post over a hypothetical Starlink phone last week, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had said that it was "not out of the question at some point."

In a subsequent post, however, Musk clarified that "we are not developing a phone."

Anthropic Mocks ChatGPT in New Ads, OpenAI CEO Calls Them ‘Deceptive’

Details about the mobile device, such as its design or development timeline, remain under wraps. While the satellite internet provider has worked with telecom service providers like T-Mobile in recent years to provide direct-to-device internet services, producing a phone is believed to be a different proposition altogether.

The introduction of a mobile device is expected to signal a significant expansion of Starlink's product lineup, which primarily comprises a network of 9,500 geospatial satellites that provide wireless internet services across the world. According to Musk, about 650 of the total Starlink satellites in space are geared towards SpaceX's direct-to-device business, with an end goal of providing “full cellular coverage everywhere on Earth."

The report suggests that the expansion of Starlink as a cellular provider banks on the highly-anticipated Starship rocket, which will carry a much larger batch of upgraded Starlink satellites into space for delivering enhanced internet services directly to mobile phones.

Apple Steps Up Workforce Training With Education Hub in India

Analysts reportedly estimate that the direct-to-device market could be worth billions of dollars in the next several years.

SC Questions WhatsApp Policy of Sharing User Data With Meta Entities

Starlink's commercial success is believed to be helping fund SpaceX's longer-term ambitions, including the development of next-generation launch vehicles and space infrastructure. While SpaceX remains privately held, its expanding satellite internet business has drawn attention from investors and policymakers alike, fueling rumours of a SpaceX IPO.

Comments

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Further reading: SpaceX, Starlink, Elon Musk

Shaurya Tomer

Email Shaurya Tomer

Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More