A new document submitted by SpaceX to Canada's regulatory body has revealed important details regarding the company's second-generation Starlink Mobile infrastructure and its future roadmap. Accordingly, SpaceX plans to expand its Starlink Mobile service, which provides direct satellite-to-smartphone connectivity, with thousands of new satellites by the end of 2028.
New generation system to launch by end of 2027
The 11-page document submitted to Canada's ISED agency states that Starlink Mobile currently consists of 650 satellites. If FCC approval is granted in the US, the second-generation system could expand to up to 15,000 satellites.
According to the document, SpaceX aims to begin launching its next-generation Direct-to-Device satellites by late 2027 and make the service available around the same time. This timeline aligns with previous projections shared by the company.
To achieve this large-scale satellite deployment, the company is relying on its Starship rocket, which is currently undergoing testing. Starship, with its high payload capacity, is expected to significantly accelerate the deployment process by launching more satellites into orbit at once.
According to SpaceX, this rapid expansion will enable the provision of life-saving data services by the third quarter of 2027, with voice call support becoming available in the following months.
By the end of 2028, the goal is to deploy thousands of new satellites to create global seamless coverage and offer the first direct-to-phone satellite service, including in high-latitude polar regions.
150 Mbps speed target for phones
The second-generation Starlink Mobile system aims to provide up to 150 Mbps connection speed on smartphones without any hardware modifications. To achieve this, SpaceX plans to utilize valuable radio frequencies it intends to acquire from EchoStar. The acquisition is scheduled to be completed on November 30, 2027.
However, for this system to operate at full capacity, phone manufacturers need to adopt the new frequency bands. SpaceX states that it has made significant progress in this regard.
According to the company's statement, efforts are underway with Apple, Samsung, Google, and other manufacturers to ensure new devices support the necessary chipsets. With higher-power satellites, advanced beamforming technology, and an improved link budget, the second-generation system will be able to deliver voice, messaging, and data services at full capacity across a much wider range of smartphones. The first devices offering native support are expected to hit the market commercially in late 2027. SpaceX also emphasizes that the widespread adoption of the upgraded Starlink Mobile service will depend on the speed at which consumers purchase new compatible phones.
The company also states that the service will not replace traditional mobile operators. According to the announcement, SpaceX does not plan to offer its own independent mobile operator service and does not aim to enter into exclusive agreements with a single operator. Instead, the Starlink Mobile infrastructure is planned to be made available to all mobile operators who wish to offer the service.
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