Starlink received approval to provide Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) within the United States. This means that in areas not covered by terrestrial cellular networks, Starlink satellites can provide service to cell phones.

"The FCC is actively promoting competition in the space economy by supporting more partnerships between terrestrial mobile carriers and satellite operators to deliver on a single network future that will put an end to mobile dead zones," said FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement.

The T-Mobile license is the first collaboration between a satellite operator and wireless carrier to be approved by the FCC to provide supplemental cell coverage from space. “The Commission recognized that satellite-to-device connectivity can support critical public interest benefits,

Using satellites as a backup for cell service, and providing coverage in areas where traditional service doesn't cover, just took a big step forward.

The FCC has granted SpaceX permission to go forward with plans to offer a direct-to-phone version of its Starlink satellite internet service, with

T-Mobile plans already offer some of the best value in the business with their reasonable pricing and top-tier coverage. Now that supplemental Starlink service has been approved by the FCC, the value proposition has become even stronger.

The companies announced a partnership in 2022 and the first set of satellites for the venture were launched into low-Earth orbit in January.

The FCC approved T-Mobile and SpaceX's license to provide supplemental telecom coverage from space to eliminate dead zones.

What Happened: The FCC has granted SpaceX a U.S. commercial license for its Starlink Direct-to-Cell service. This license allows SpaceX to operate its Gen2 Starlink satellites for non-geostationary orbit fixed-satellite services.

SpaceX and T-Mobile US may start connecting smartphones in dead spots directly via Starlink. The satellites are also allowed to fly lower.