The billionaire Elon Musk has announced plans to provide free emergency calls from any mobile phone via the satellite network Starlink SpaceX, directly challenging Apple, which has offered a similar service on its iPhones since last year. Musk’s initiative seeks to offer universal coverage in critical situations, even in remote areas without access to conventional networks.
“There can’t be a situation where someone dies because they forgot to pay it or couldn’t pay it,” Musk said on the social network X, formerly known as Twitter. The service is intended to act as a lifeline for people in areas without coverage.
SpaceX has already conducted successful tests of the service, including a video call via Starlink satellites in collaboration with T-Mobile. The ability to use cellular data is expected to be available in 2025, as more D2C Starlink satellites are launched.
To implement this technology, SpaceX needs to deploy a new model of satellite into low Earth orbit. The company carries out monthly launches, although the most recent one resulted in the rocket exploding on its return.
The project, originally called “direct-to-cell,” requires regulatory approval. SpaceX has applied for permission from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, and Musk has indicated that the feature will be “subject to approval by the governments of each country.”
If it obtains the necessary certifications, SpaceX will become a direct competitor to established telecom operators and to Apple, which already offers satellite-based emergency service on its latest iPhones, with free coverage for a year.
Currently, Starlink provides satellite internet services in Spain with browsing speeds between 50 and 100 Mbps, and upload speeds of 16 to 35 Mbps, through antennas installed in homes or the portable Mini version.