Starlink: 10 Million Subscribers + Direct to Cell
SpaceX's satellite constellation hits 10 million subscribers and launches Direct-to-Cell service in 22 countries using standard smartphones.
Explore this event on the interactive timeline →By February 2026, Starlink reached 10 million active subscribers worldwide, making it the largest satellite internet constellation in history. More significantly, Starlink's Direct-to-Cell service—launched commercially in July 2025 with T-Mobile—now operates in 22 countries with 650+ D2C-equipped satellites. Standard LTE smartphones can receive text, data (2-4 Mbps), and beta voice calls from space, eliminating cellular dead zones.
Key Numbers
- Subscribers
- 10 Million
- D2C Countries
- 22
- D2C Satellites
- 650+
- D2C Data Speed
- 2-4 Mbps
Verified Facts
- Starlink reached 10 million subscribers in February 2026, up from 4 million in mid-2024.
- Direct-to-Cell launched commercially with T-Mobile ("T-Satellite") in July 2025. Available in 22 countries by April 2026.
- Over 650 satellites now carry Direct-to-Cell payloads. The service works with ~60 standard LTE smartphone models—no special hardware needed.
- Data speeds currently reach 2-4 Mbps (enough for basic browsing). Voice calling is in beta, expected to be standard by end of 2026.
- Partner carriers: T-Mobile (US), Rogers (Canada), KDDI (Japan), Optus (Australia), One NZ (New Zealand).