Starlink Mobile Surges to 10 Million Users: SpaceX Targets 25 Million by Year-End

BARCELONA — March 5, 2026 — In a major update delivered at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), SpaceX announced that its newly rebranded Starlink Mobile (formerly Direct-to-Cell) has officially surpassed 10 million monthly active users.

SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell revealed the milestone during a keynote presentation, outlining an aggressive growth trajectory that aims to more than double the user base to 25 million by the end of 2026. This rapid expansion is fueled by a burgeoning network of global carrier partnerships and the deployment of a high-performance, second-generation satellite constellation.

From “Direct-to-Cell” to Starlink Mobile

The rebranding to Starlink Mobile marks the service’s transition from a niche emergency utility to a mainstream connectivity layer. The system currently utilizes over 650 mobile-capable satellites to provide seamless 4G/LTE coverage across the globe, specifically targeting cellular “dead zones.”

Global Footprint: Starlink Mobile now operates the largest geographic 4G coverage area in the world.
User Reach: Through partnerships with over 32 carriers—including T-Mobile (US), Rogers (Canada), KDDI (Japan), and Airtel (Africa)—the service currently has a potential reach of over 1.7 billion people.
Active Engagement: While 10 million users are active monthly, the system has connected more than 16 million unique users at least once since its experimental launch.

The Gen2 Leap: 150Mbps Directly to Your Pocket

The most significant technical reveal at MWC was the capability of the second-generation Starlink Mobile satellites. Unlike the first generation, which primarily focused on text and basic data, the Gen2 system is designed for true broadband.

Massive Antennas: The new satellites feature phased-array antennas five times larger than the original, allowing for smaller “spot beams” on the ground and 16 times more beams per satellite.
Broadband Speeds: Under ideal conditions, the system is now targeting download speeds of up to 150 Mbps directly to unmodified smartphones.
100x Data Density: This structural upgrade delivers nearly 100 times the data density of the initial 2024 testing phase, making satellite-to-phone video streaming and web browsing a practical reality for the first time.

[Image showing a comparison between the Gen1 and Gen2 Starlink Mobile satellites, highlighting the 5x larger antenna and the shift from “Text/Emergency” to “150Mbps Broadband.”]

Partnerships: Connecting the “Unconnected” 14

SpaceX is leveraging its “Teammate” philosophy by working alongside terrestrial carriers rather than competing with them. New partnerships announced this week include:

Airtel (Africa): A massive deal covering 14 African countries, including Uganda and Kenya, set to go live later this year. This will bring “tower-free” connectivity to some of the most remote regions on the continent.
Deutsche Telekom (Europe): A strategic agreement to complement mobile networks across 10 European countries, ensuring that users in the Alps or remote rural areas never lose a signal.
Samsung & Google: Deep integration with the Galaxy S26 series and Android 16 allows these devices to “recognize” Starlink satellites as standard cell towers, switching automatically when terrestrial signals fade.

The Starship Factor

The ambitious goal of 25 million users hinges on the readiness of Starship. Starting in mid-2027, SpaceX plans to use Starship to launch over 50 Gen2 satellites per flight, aiming to place 1,200 satellites into orbit within a single six-month window.

“We are building the first truly global, contiguous network,” Shotwell told the MWC audience. “By the end of 2026, the phrase ‘no signal’ will be an archaic term.”

Starlink Mobile Growth Projection

Metric	March 2026 (Actual)	Dec 2026 (Target)	2027+ (Vision)
Active Monthly Users	10 Million	25 Million	100+ Million
Mobile Satellites	650	1,200+	15,000+ (Gen2)
Max Peak Speed	4-10 Mbps	50-100 Mbps	150+ Mbps
Partner Countries	32	45+	Global