🕒 AS OF September, 2026

TL;DR Link to heading

  • ~650+ Gen-1 Direct-to-Cell satellites already in orbit — the largest such network by coverage area.
  • Commercial service live in 20–30+ countries via dozens of carrier partners.
  • Capabilities today: SMS first, expanding to limited data, apps (e.g. WhatsApp), and voice/video in select markets.
  • Millions of users connected (reports of 7–10+ million monthly active devices in peak periods).
  • Next leap coming 2027: Higher-capacity V2 satellites + EchoStar spectrum for much stronger performance.
  • Business model: Wholesale to carriers for now; SpaceX is positioning for more independent/hybrid options longer-term.

Key Markets and Partners Link to heading

  • United States — T-Mobile (T-Satellite, the original commercial launch)
  • EU — Deutsche Telekom
  • Canada — Rogers
  • Australia — Telstra and Optus
  • New Zealand — One NZ
  • Japan — SoftBank, KDDI, and NTT Docomo
  • Philippines — Globe
  • Ukraine — Kyivstar
  • United Kingdom — Virgin Media O2
  • Chile & Peru — Entel
  • Switzerland — Salt