Starlink’s Direct to Cell service has quietly taken a big step forward. SpaceX’s VP of Starlink Engineering, Michael Nicolls, announced on Sunday that the service now supports data-rich applications such as Google Maps, X, and WhatsApp on certain devices.
This expansion arrives just as T-Mobile begins offering early access to data connectivity on its Starlink-powered T-Satellite service, which officially launched back in July. At the time, T-Satellite was limited to SMS, MMS, and location sharing, with T-Mobile promising that app-based data services would roll out on October 1.
Instead, it looks like some customers are getting a head start. Tech YouTuber Jake Pimental shared his early hands-on experience with the new capability, raising excitement around what’s possible when cellular coverage gaps are bridged by satellites. Take a look at T-Satellite’s Starlink-backed data service in action in Pimental’s video below:
T-Satellite costs $10 per month and is available not only to T-Mobile subscribers but also to customers on other carriers. While data support is just beginning to roll out, voice and video calling remain on the roadmap. However, those features will require additional spectrum approvals before they can go live.
Starlink Direct to Cell is not limited to the U.S. market, either. Canadian telecom giant Rogers has already started testing Starlink-based SMS messaging across its network. In August, Ukraine’s Kyivstar successfully completed its first Starlink Direct to Cell test, with plans to launch service later this year. The technology is also being trialed for IoT devices, as demonstrated by a recent test in New Zealand.
With data connectivity now online for certain apps, Starlink’s Direct to Cell service is edging closer to becoming a true global solution for keeping devices connected anywhere, without needing traditional cell towers.
