After several months of rumors and tests in other markets, Starlink itself has given the definitive clue: Spain is now listed on its official map as a country where its satellite mobile coverage will arrive "soon".This is the step many have been waiting for to be able to connect in those mountain areas, isolated villages or lost coves where today the mobile phone remains completely silent.
SpaceX's satellite internet company is thus making progress in its plan to to turn its satellites into a kind of mobile network floating in low orbitUsing Direct to Cell technology, satellites act as 4G towers in space, allowing a compatible phone to connect directly, without the need for terrestrial antennas or additional equipment, provided there is a clear sky.
What is Direct to Cell and what will it allow in Spain?
Starlink's Direct to Cell service is its bet for to offer 4G connectivity to conventional mobile phones via satelliteThis is not your typical satellite connection with a parabolic antenna, but a network where the smartphone itself acts as it has done until now, but connecting to a satellite instead of a terrestrial antenna.
According to information released by the company and initial deployments in other countries, Direct to Cell focuses on a Limited but sufficient data coverage for basic usesSend messages, share small photos, consult maps, chat, and make calls or video calls over IP. It is not intended to replace a large data plan, but rather to serve as a backup network and connection in areas without service.
The key is that all of this is done using standard LTE/4G frequenciesThis allows the phone to detect a conventional mobile network and connect just as it would to its operator's network. No special apps or external antennas are needed, but you do need a compatible device and to activate the satellite connectivity option when available.
In the territories where it is already active, this solution is also geared towards connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices located outside the reach of the traditional mobile network, opening the door to agricultural, industrial or remote monitoring applications in very isolated environments.
How it works: satellites as 4G towers in orbit
The technical idea behind Direct to Cell involves Equip Starlink satellites with eNodeB modemsIt uses the same type of technology as 4G base stations on the ground. To the phone, the satellite is simply another LTE cell, even though it's orbiting hundreds of kilometers above the Earth.
When the user sends a message, initiates a call, or uses data, The signal travels from the mobile phone to the satellite and from there it is routed through the constellation. through laser links that interconnect the various devices in orbit. Finally, the traffic is sent down to a Starlink ground station (gateway) and integrated into the network of the mobile operator with which there is an agreement.
In practice, it behaves like a kind of satellite roamingThe user remains a customer of their operator, but relies on the satellite network when terrestrial coverage is unavailable. This allows coverage of areas where antennas would never be installed due to a lack of profitability.
Another relevant advantage is that Starlink operates in low earth orbitmuch closer than traditional geostationary satellites, reducing latency and making real-time messaging, chat, and video calls more viable compared to older satellite solutions.
The company's stated objective is eliminate so-called “dead zones” of coverageFrom maritime routes to mountain ranges or vast rural areas where it is now common to lose the signal completely.
Spain is included in the official Starlink deployment map
Starlink has updated the interactive Direct to Cell map on its website and Spain is already listed under the "Coming soon" categoryThis adds to other territories that are in the preparation phase of the service, such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland or Mexico, differentiating itself from the countries where connectivity is already officially operational.
That same map includes the list of markets where Direct to Cell operates in partnership with local mobile operatorsAmong the agreements made public are those with T-Mobile (United States), Rogers (Canada), Telstra (Australia), Entel (Chile and Peru), KDDI (Japan), Kyivstar (Ukraine) and Salt (Switzerland), among other regional partners.
Spain's presence in the "coming soon" category implies that The company is already working on spectrum permits and an alliance with a national telecom company., an essential requirement to be able to broadcast using the mobile bands assigned in each country.
For now, No specific launch date has been announcedNor are details known about the initial phase of the rollout: it remains to be seen whether it will start only with messaging and alerts, or whether it will debut directly with data and calls over applications.
What is clear is that The constellation of satellites with Direct to Cell capability now exceeds 650 devices in low Earth orbit, a sufficient infrastructure to begin offering segmented coverage in different regions, including Europe.
Movistar, the best-positioned candidate to be a partner in Spain
Although Starlink has not officially announced which Spanish operator it will partner with, All eyes in the sector are on Telefónica (Movistar) as the most likely option. The main indication is that its British subsidiary O2 has already signed a similar agreement in the UK to provide Direct to Cell alongside Starlink.
The relationship between the two companies is not new in the Spanish market either. Telefónica already sells Movistar Link+, a business connectivity solution based on Starlink equipment and antennas, aimed at companies that need satellite internet where the conventional fixed network does not reach.
The inclusion of Spain on the official map suggests that Starlink has reportedly found a partner to provide it with mobile spectrum.However, this information has not yet been released in any public statement. It remains to be seen whether the eventual agreement will result in Starlink's own pricing, a surcharge for Movistar customers, or some kind of revenue-sharing model between the two parties.
In other regions, traditional operators have shown some initial reservations, since Satellite connectivity is entering a market historically dominated by terrestrial networks.However, it can also be interpreted as a complementary service that expands coverage in areas where there is hardly any business for telecoms companies.
Until there is a definitive announcement, No indicative prices or commercial terms are known For the Spanish market, this will be key to knowing whether Direct to Cell will be geared primarily towards emergencies, professional use, or also the home user who frequently travels to remote areas.
Rural areas, sea and mountains: the big beneficiaries
Spain has been struggling for years Coverage problems in rural areas, small municipalities and high mountain areaswhere the deployment of mobile phone towers is very expensive and, in many cases, not very profitable for operators.
Direct to Cell's proposal fits precisely into those environments where The mobile network falls short or simply doesn't exist.Road sections without signage, challenging hiking trails, large agricultural holdings, or boats that venture far from the coast could benefit from a basic connection without the need to install new infrastructure.
In addition to its everyday use, this connectivity has a clear component of safety and emergency responseIn situations where terrestrial networks go down due to natural disasters, fires, or large-scale power outages, the satellite network can keep essential communication channels open.
For the professional sphere, the possibility of connecting IoT sensors and installations distributed throughout the territory Without relying on a dense mobile network, it could boost projects in sectors such as energy, transport, precision agriculture, or water management.
Of course, it should be borne in mind that Speed and data volume will be more limited than in a conventional 4G connection, at least in the early stages of deployment, so it is not intended for intensive use of high-quality video or other very demanding services.
Compatible mobile devices and technical requirements
Direct-to-cell satellite connectivity will not be available for every device. Starlink and the various manufacturers anticipate that Only some recent smartphones, with state-of-the-art modems, can connect to the networkA simple software update is not enough for most older mobile phones.
Among the models that are identified as compatible or prepared for this type of service It includes all iPhones from the iPhone 14 onwards, Google Pixel phones from the Pixel 9 family onwards, and Samsung Galaxy phones from the S21 series onwards, including certain foldable models with the latest versions of their operating system.
The reason for this limitation lies in the hardware: Modems that support the 3GPP Release 17 specifications for non-terrestrial networks are required., such as the Snapdragon X75 or X80 chips and equivalents, capable of managing the direct connection with satellites in low orbit.
Furthermore, in order to use this connectivity, manufacturers incorporate specific options into their settings menus such as “Satellite connectivity” or “Satellite networks”, which the user must manually activate when they want to connect to the Starlink constellation in the absence of conventional coverage.
In any case, Brands will need to officially confirm compatible models and software versions. when the rollout in Spain gets closer and the operators start offering the service commercially.
Where is Direct to Cell already available and what experience does it offer?
The Starlink Direct to Cell network It already provides service in several countries. spread across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. These include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Chile, Ukraine, and Japan, as well as other markets where the commercial or advanced testing phase has begun.
In this places, Users can send SMS messages, make voice calls through apps, and use data. for everyday tasks in places where connecting to mobile networks was previously impossible. Use cases are also emerging for IoT devices, which can transmit information from remote locations.
The rollout has not been instantaneous: although the service was first announced in August 2022, The first satellites specifically designed to provide mobile coverage were launched in January 2024, after a certain delay from the initially planned schedule.
As partners such as T-Mobile, Rogers, Telstra, Entel or KDDI have joined, Coverage has expanded and the network has been tested under different conditions, from extensive rural areas to inland seas or regions with complicated climates.
The experiences shared to date suggest that Direct to Cell is especially useful as a backup network for emergencies, transport routes and outdoor activities, rather than as a direct replacement for an urban data plan with high video consumption or heavy downloads.
What remains to be known about the arrival in Spain
Despite the confirmation that Spain is on the roadmap, Many questions remain unansweredThe first is the exact launch date, which Starlink has only indicated with a generic "coming soon" on its official map.
Another key issue is the business model that will be adopted in our country. It is not clear if users will contract directly with Starlink, if connectivity will be a supplement within the rates of an operator like Movistar, or if it will be offered as a premium service aimed at certain professional segments.
There is also still to be discovered the level of integration with emergency and civil protection servicesThis is a sensitive issue when discussing communications in areas without coverage and the network's ability to remain operational in critical situations.
From a regulatory point of view, Starlink needs authorizations to use certain frequency bands in Spanish territoryThis usually involves coordination with the administration and other operators to avoid interference.
Depending on how all these elements are resolved, Direct to Cell in Spain could position itself as a one-off complement for adventurers and professionals, or as a more structural piece in the coverage strategy of the major national telecoms.
With the inclusion of Spain in the official Direct to Cell map and the progress of agreements with operators in Europe and America, Everything points to Starlink's satellite mobile coverage becoming a common feature of the telecommunications landscapeespecially in those areas where it is still normal to lose signal as soon as you leave the city.