While SpaceX's Starlink system for cell phones is still in its testing phase, the technology is already good enough to power a video call. SpaceX recently posted a video that showed a video call being completed through Starlink Direct to Cell satellites from unmodified mobile phones. The company has increased the number of cellular Starlink satellites from six to 38. Starlink tech can deliver download speeds as high as 17Mbps to unmodified Android phones.

SpaceX has revealed plans to launch its Starlink system for phones this fall in a filing about the FCC's new rules on supplying satellite connectivity to US carriers. The company says that the FCC's current framework for supplying satellite connectivity to phones is too restrictive and has urged the agency to loosen the aggregate limit on radio frequencies for cellular satellites, specifically the “one-size-fits-all aggregate out-of-band power flux-density.” It backs replacing the restriction with more granular band-specific limits. SpaceX's rivals have lobbied the Commission to maintain the restriction to protect against potential radio interference.

A SpaceX rocket has failed for the first time in nearly a decade. The upper stage engine of the Falcon 9 rocket malfunctioned several minutes into flight. It left 20 Starlink satellites in an orbit less than half of what was intended. The company is attempting to boost some of the satellites to a higher orbit using onboard ion thrusters, but it is unlikely to be successful. The satellites will likely return to the atmosphere and burn up. The Federal Aviation Administration says the problem must be fixed before SpaceX can fly its Falcon rockets again.

SpaceX's Starlink system for mobile phones will be free for users connecting to emergency services. The company is currently waiting for approval from the Federal Communications Commission to let it commercially operate its 'direct to cell' Starlink technology. Providing free emergency services access would benefit public safety communications and first responders. There aren't many details about how Starlink's system will work, but it will likely be similar to Apple's Emergency SOS feature for iPhones, which is free for the iPhone 14 and up.

SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service is poised to reach a significant milestone, with company President Gwynne Shotwell announcing that the subscriber count is expected to surpass 4 million. This announcement was made during her testimony before a Texas legislative committee, and the milestone was later confirmed by SpaceX. The growth has been remarkable, with Starlink gaining a million new customers since May, reflecting a rapid expansion since its beta service launch in October 2020. The service reached 1 million subscribers in December 2022, 2 million in September 2023, and 3 million in May 2024. Starlink's satellite constellation now consists of nearly 6,000 satellites, providing coverage in almost 100 countries. The service caters to both individual users and large enterprises, including major airlines and cruise lines. Financially, Starlink is projected to generate $6.6 billion in revenue this year, a significant increase from approximately $1.4 billion two years ago, according to Quilty Space, an industry research firm. The success of Starlink is integral to SpaceX's broader strategy of commercializing space and funding the development of its reusable rocket, Starship. CEO Elon Musk has emphasized that the revenue from Starlink will support further advancements in space exploration. The launch of Starship is expected to facilitate the deployment of even more Starlink satellites at a faster rate. Starlink has established itself as a dominant player in the satellite internet market, capturing market share from traditional providers like Viasat and SES, which operate in higher geostationary orbits. While other satellite constellations, such as Amazon's Project Kuiper, are in development, they have not yet begun commercial operations, allowing Starlink to maintain its lead in the industry.