Starlink Mobile Plans 'Thousands' of Satellites by 2028 for Global Phone Connectivity

SpaceX is pushing hard to expand its Starlink Mobile service, telling Canadian regulators it plans to have thousands of satellites orbiting Earth by the end of 2028. This ambitious plan is designed to deliver fast 5G-like internet directly to unmodified smartphones, making Starlink a key player in connecting phones in even the most remote areas. This aggressive expansion, detailed in an 11-page letter to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), aims to upgrade the current Starlink Mobile constellation of around 650 satellites to a massive second-generation network potentially spanning up to 15,000 satellites. The company is targeting 150Mbps speeds for mobile users and plans to begin launching next-generation direct-to-device satellites by late 2027, with voice services following soon after. This move directly challenges competitors like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon-Globalstar in the race to offer satellite-to-phone services, relying heavily on the advanced Starship rocket for rapid deployment and a crucial radio spectrum acquisition from EchoStar, set to close in late 2027. With US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval pending for its massive constellation upgrade, SpaceX is positioning itself to be the first and potentially only direct-to-device provider offering continuous global coverage, including high-latitude polar regions, by the end of 2028. Industry experts and investors like Sequoia Capital see 2028 as a pivotal year for Starlink's Direct-to-Cell technology, forecasting it to potentially outpace the revenue of its existing consumer Starlink business. The success hinges on the timely deployment of these next-gen V3 satellites using Starship and the finalization of key spectrum deals, hinting at a transformative shift in global mobile connectivity.