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Elon Musk’s SpaceX is at the forefront of the “space communication” era. The company is broadening its “Direct to Cell (DTC)” service, allowing satellite-based communication across the globe. For this purpose, SpaceX recently revealed that it has entered into an agreement with U.S. telecom firm EchoStar to obtain a 50 MHz radio frequency band and a global mobile satellite service (MSS) license. The cost of this deal alone amounted to $17 billion (about 24.2 trillion South Korean won).

◇Q1. What is Direct to Mobile?

It is a service that enables satellite calls to be made through standard smartphones across the globe. Previously, users had to use separate, bulky, and costly satellite phones to connect with satellites. However, Direct to Cell connects regular smartphones directly to satellites. This allows for texting, calling, and data usage even in areas where there are no signal from base stations, such as mountains or deserts. In short, it is a service that turns “smartphones into satellite phones.”

◇Q2. What is the importance of this frequency acquisition?

To enable satellites to communicate with smartphones, certain frequency bands, referred to as “radio highways,” are necessary. Specifically, the frequency band obtained from EchoStar has a longer wavelength compared to those used for high-speed wireless internet, which allows it to cover extensive distances without facing obstructions. SpaceX intends to launch advanced Starlink satellites capable of using this newly acquired radio frequency spectrum. This is anticipated to bring about a significant enhancement in communication services.

◇Q3. What is the present level of service?

SpaceX initially deployed Direct to Cell satellites in January of the previous year, launching them from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States. Since that time, the company has worked with local mobile service providers such as T-Mobile in the U.S. to enhance offerings from basic text messaging to video calling capabilities.

◇Q4. Accessing the Korean market

As per the telecommunications sector, Starlink Korea, the local branch of SpaceX’s satellite internet service, was set up last year. Following Starlink Korea obtaining approval for a “cross-border supply agreement” from the Ministry of Science and ICT in May, it completed preparations to introduce low-Earth orbit satellite communication services within the country. For business-to-business (B2B) services, Starlink plans to launch low-Earth orbit satellite communication services for ships in mid-November, in collaboration with SK Telink and KT SAT. In the business-to-consumer (B2C) market, it has recently entered into an agreement with Shinsegae I&C to further develop these services.

◇Q5. Future outlook

Low-Earth orbit satellites are expected to play a crucial role in the infrastructure of 6G communication, self-driving vehicles, and urban air mobility (UAM). Although 6G will need more base stations than 5G, satellite internet, which is not limited by geographical constraints, could be a major factor in enabling the commercial use of 6G. Should Direct to Cell technology develop further, it might one day take the place of current land-based communication networks.