Starlink releases demo of its first-ever satellite video call using normal smartphones

A few months before its launch, Starlink’s Direct to Cell service still has to prove itself. For this, Elon Musk’s company shows us the current performance of its network, and the result is not lacking in interest.

The digital age has brought a new challenge, and not the least: that of successfully connecting all human beings to each other. The task is not easy, and there are still many places without any network, whether wired or mobile. Even in France, these “ white areas » affect the daily lives of many residents and travelers.

A problem that SpaceX intends to solve thanks to its Starlink network, by allowing everyone to access an Internet connection through a simple satellite antenna. And soon, even a mobile network worthy of the name, without requiring any special equipment.

So, has the bet paid off?

“ Hey, Martians! »

In a short video published on X.com (formerly Twitter), SpaceX shows us two people communicating via video using their smartphones. The only thing is: if one of the two participants is connected to the Internet via a “classic” mobile network, the other is directly connected to one of the many satellites deployed by the space giant for its Starlink network.

If the call is not perfect – the image is rather blurry and sometimes even jerky – the experience is nevertheless impressive. Indeed, the device directly connected by satellite is supposed to have not undergone any modification, and therefore uses its basic LTE antenna. Any smartphone compatible with this technology – and there are many – should be able to achieve the same feat.

A new network available in several months

If SpaceX seems satisfied with its Direct to Cell system, we will have to wait a little longer before being able to access it in its entirety. If smartphones running iOS and Android 15 should be able to exchange SMS messages via satellite this year, access to audio and video calls is currently not planned before 2025.

The American company therefore still has a little time to improve its system, if possible, to impress us a little more in the months to come. It will also have to enter into new partnerships with mobile telephone operators, responsible for providing its service to their customers. For the moment, these can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and only the Swiss Salt is part of this very restricted club in Europe.

Source : Android Authority