Starlink has announced its plans to begin launching next year its second generation of satellites that will allow ‘direct-to-cell’ service without passing through ground antennas.
“We’ll begin launching in mid-2027 with Starship; we’ll be able to deploy the constellation very quickly,” said Michael Nicolls, vice president for Starlink engineering at SpaceX, referring to the company’s super-heavy launch rocket.
Nicolls was speaking at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the latest advancements in mobile technology.
Hosted by the GSM Association (GSMA), MWC brings together leading companies, startups, tech enthusiasts, and industry experts to showcase the latest innovations and discuss the future of mobile technology.
Furthermore, MWC hosts a series of high-profile keynote speakers, including executives from major tech companies, industry leaders, and government officials.
According to the statement, the new constellation will initially be composed of 1,200 satellites.
“The goal of Starlink mobile, which will be enabled by the second-generation constellation, is to provide a terrestrial-like connectivity when you’re connected to the satellite system,” stated Nicolls.
Starlink currently has more than 9,000 satellites, including around 600 with ‘direct-to-cell’ technology.
The firm owned by US billionaire Elon Musk has partnered with several cellular network operators to offer the service.
However, Nicolls remarked that it hopes to use in the second generation satellites the frequencies it purchased in November 2025 from US operator EchoStar for $17 billion, subject to regulatory approval.
“Starlink was working closely with phone manufacturers to ensure as many devices as possible may access the service,” he added.
