SpaceX has taken an important step towards the global launch of Starlink Mobile. On 17 September, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted the company an international licence to provide telecommunications services. This paves the way for the expansion of satellite mobile communications beyond the US; however, for a full-scale launch in individual countries, SpaceX will still need to obtain local licences and negotiate the use of spectrum.
- The FCC has granted SpaceX an international telecoms licence.
- It concerns the development of Starlink Mobile.
- SpaceX is planning global satellite roaming.
- The next generation will have full 5G coverage.
- Ukraine is already using Starlink Direct to Cell.
The FCC has granted SpaceX international authorisation
On 17 September, the US Federal Communications Commission approved Space Exploration Holdings’ application for Global Facilities-Based Authority and Global Resale Authority.
The FCC documents explicitly state that authorisation is required to support future services Starlink Mobile. This means that SpaceX has been granted the US regulatory framework to provide international telecommunications services and resell communications services outside the US. At the same time, the FCC’s decision does not mean that Starlink Mobile will be automatically launched in every country in the world.
Chief Financial Officer of SpaceX Bret Johnson He had previously explained that, abroad, the company would probably have to follow the same path as with the standard Starlink service: dealing with the regulators in each country on a case-by-case basis.
Starlink Mobile wants to eliminate «dead zones»
The main idea behind the service is to enable ordinary smartphones to connect directly to the satellites, when there is no ground-based base station nearby.
SpaceX already has hundreds of satellites Direct to Mobile in low Earth orbit. The first generation works with standard LTE smartphones without the need for special antennas, firmware or separate apps.
The current version of Starlink Mobile is primarily aimed at:
- SMS and basic messages;
- certain messaging apps;
- navigation;
- easy data transfer;
- emergency communications in areas without mobile coverage.
SpaceX states that Direct to Cell is already operational on several continents in partnership with T-Mobile, KDDI, Rogers, Kyivstar, Optus, Telstra and other mobile operators.
The next generation should move on to full 5G
The biggest change is expected to come with the arrival of Starlink Mobile V2.
SpaceX plans to begin deploying a new generation of satellites in 2027. According to the company’s chief financial officer, they should already be providing a fully-fledged 5G service level. The new generation will feature larger antennas, chips specially designed by SpaceX and a significantly wider frequency band.
The company states that the figures are approximately:
- A 20-fold increase in the bandwidth of a single satellite;
- a more than 100-fold increase in overall data density;
- support for voice calls;
- high-speed data transmission;
- video streaming;
- the operation of standard mobile apps.
KDDI in Japan has already signed an agreement with SpaceX regarding Starlink Mobile V2 and plans to launch high-speed data transmission and voice calls via satellite during 2027.
Will the speed really be 150 Mbit/s?
A figure is appearing in the specialist technology media up to 150 Mbit/s for the future of Starlink Mobile.
Notebookcheck reports that the next generation of satellites could deliver download speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s directly to a smartphone.
However, in SpaceX’s latest official materials, the company emphasises not a specific guaranteed speed for a single phone, but rather 5G-level services, a 20-fold increase in satellite bandwidth and a more than 100-fold increase in total network capacity.
It is therefore more accurate, for the time being, to regard 150 Mbit/s as a stated target or peak performance figure for the future system, rather than a guaranteed speed for every user.
Global roaming could be a key advantage
SpaceX sees this as one of the key scenarios global mobile roaming.
The idea is that, in future, a single tariff will be able to operate in different countries via a single satellite network, even in places where there is no terrestrial mobile coverage.
Bret Johansen has stated that SpaceX wants to create a service without traditional «dead zones», which will allow users to stay connected whilst travelling between countries.
However, the implementation of such global roaming will depend not only on satellites, but also on agreements with local operators, spectrum licences and decisions by regulatory authorities.
What this means for Ukraine
Ukraine is already one of the largest markets for Starlink Direct to Cell.
Kyivstar launched the technology in partnership with SpaceX in November 2025. As of the second quarter of 2026, more than 6 million Kyivstar subscribers have already used a satellite connection.
From 15 June, it is also being trialled in Ukraine Light Data. In areas where there is no terrestrial network, subscribers can use Viber, WhatsApp and Google Maps via satellite.
The upcoming Starlink Mobile V2 could therefore potentially mark the next stage in the development of this type of connectivity in Ukraine — offering more comprehensive data and voice services. Neither SpaceX nor Kyivstar has yet announced a specific launch date for V2 in Ukraine.
