A recent update from one of the company's engineers on X revealed that Rogers, a leading telecom provider in Canada, has joined the direct-to-cell initiative.
Other telecom companies that have been integrated into the service include One in New Zealand, KDDI in Japan, Optus in Australia, and Salt in Switzerland.
Elon Musk confirmed this advancement in a reply to the post.
“Starlink’s new system enables Internet connectivity for your mobile phone with no extra equipment or special app. It just works.”
Elon Musk has recently indicated that Starlink is preparing to introduce its direct-to-mobile internet service in the countries where it currently operates.
This announcement follows SpaceX's successful launch of 42 new satellites, 26 of which are equipped with direct-to-cell technology.
To facilitate the rollout of this service, Musk mentioned that the company plans to collaborate with local network carriers in each operational country.
It is worth noting that Nigeria was the first African nation to receive Starlink satellite internet service, which was launched in January 2023. The latest expansion occurred in Botswana, increasing Starlink's presence in Africa to 15 countries and a total of 105 worldwide.
“We are starting off working with one carrier in each country, but ultimately hope to serve all carriers,” Musk said while speaking of the plans to expand the service globally.
With the new satellites, Starlink is promising the world access to communication services anywhere in the world.
“Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities enable ubiquitous access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters,” the company said in a post on its website.
Starlink revealed its intention to launch a direct-to-mobile internet service in October of the previous year. As per the details shared on its website, the service is set to commence with text messaging in 2024, followed by the introduction of voice, data, and IoT services in 2025.
In line with this timeline, on January 8, 2024, the Starlink team successfully transmitted and received their inaugural text messages utilizing the T-Mobile network spectrum via one of its newly deployed Direct to Cell satellites, which was launched just six days earlier. Starlink has indicated that users will not need to upgrade their devices, as the service will be compatible with existing 4G-enabled phones.
While Elon Musk has downplayed the potential for competition with traditional mobile network operators through direct-to-cell satellite services, it is anticipated that companies such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile may experience a decline in their customer base once voice and data services become accessible via satellite. Notably, MTN, Nigeria's largest telecommunications provider, is already strategizing to collaborate with Starlink to leverage its satellite service, having recently announced discussions aimed at extending its offerings to underserved regions within its operational market.