Key Points
- FCC granted emergency approval for SpaceX’s Starlink satellites to provide cell coverage in hurricane-hit North Carolina.
- Starlink satellites broadcast emergency alerts, with SMS testing underway on T-Mobile networks.
- 74% of cell towers were down after the hurricane, but the figure has now dropped to 17%.
- T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to expand direct-to-cell services, starting with text capabilities.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted SpaceX and T-Mobile permission to activate Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capabilities, providing essential cell coverage in parts of North Carolina severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. This emergency temporary approval, granted on Sunday, aims to restore wireless and internet services for communities affected by the disaster.
During emergencies like hurricanes, the FCC often approves temporary measures to expedite the restoration of communication services. An FCC spokesperson reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to aiding recovery efforts, stating, “We are ready to do everything necessary to return connectivity to hard-hit areas and save lives.”
SpaceX announced that the Starlink satellites are already broadcasting emergency alerts to cell phones across all networks in the affected regions. Additionally, the company plans to test basic texting (SMS) functionality for most phones connected to the T-Mobile network in North Carolina.
Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage to the state’s communication infrastructure. By September 28, over 74% of cell towers were out of service in the disaster-hit areas. However, as recovery teams worked tirelessly to restore services, that figure dropped to 17% as of Sunday, according to the FCC.
T-Mobile acknowledged that while the Starlink direct-to-cell satellite network is still in its early stages, the company decided to deploy the system to support recovery efforts. T-Mobile’s network is almost fully operational across the affected areas, with less than 1% of sites still disconnected due to ongoing challenges.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr highlighted the initiative’s importance, noting that it focuses on enabling emergency alerts to smartphones in the affected areas. While Starlink’s satellite constellation is not fully deployed, Carr emphasized the need to manage expectations, explaining that this initial effort is meant to provide critical assistance as teams work to restore full infrastructure.
T-Mobile and SpaceX first announced their partnership in August 2022, with plans to deliver mobile coverage using Starlink satellites to regions lacking traditional network access. T-Mobile confirmed that the service would initially offer text messaging capabilities, followed by voice and data services in the coming years. The first set of Starlink satellites equipped with direct-to-cell technology was launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket in January 2024.
