How Starlink DTC Connects Your Phone To A Satellite

On March 12, 2025, SpaceX launched 21 Starlink satellites from Florida, including 13 with Direct-to-Cell capability that somehow lets your phone connect to space—350 kilometers up—without a single tweak to your device. Massive antennas, orbiting tech, and a signal trick that we'll unpack on today's video!
I get this question all the time: "How can a satellite in orbit hear a faint signal from a phone on the Earth." Well, you'll know the answer before the end of this video.

I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

Shy? It's OK, please consider placing an emoji 🚀 in the comment area so I know you took the time to watch this video! Thanks in advance!

Subscribe, Share, and Like if so inclined! Also, after watching, consider commenting!

[ Equipment Used ]

Can't wait to hear from you in the comments below this video!

Super Chats And All Channel Donations Are Warmly Welcome! Thank You!

I truly hope you enjoy the video and find value in it! If so, please consider Thumbs Up, Subscribe, and Becoming A Member Of The Channel!

Thank you for supporting the channel!

Highlighted Starlink Hardware I Have Tested In The Past:

For High-Speed Access Points (ex. Starlink or Cable)

For Slower Speed Access Points (ex. ATT)

[ Social Media & Additional Connections ]

The above are my Amazon affiliate links - if you purchase anything using the links above, you're supporting this channel at no additional cost to you! I appreciate your support!

[jcristina]

On March 12, 2025, SpaceX launched 21 Starlink satellites from Florida, including 13 with Direct-to-Cell capability that somehow lets your phone connect to space—350 kilometers up—without a single tweak to your device. Massive antennas, orbiting tech, and a signal trick!

I get this question all the time: "How can a satellite in orbit hear a faint signal from a phone on the Earth." Well, you'll know the answer before the end of this video.


I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

Shy? It's OK, please consider placing an emoji 🚀 in the comment area so I know you took the time to watch this video! Thanks in advance!


Subscribe, Share, and Like if so inclined! Also, after watching, consider commenting!

[ Equipment Used ]


Can't wait to hear from you in the comments below this video!



Super Chats And All Channel Donations Are Warmly Welcome! Thank You!


I truly hope you enjoy the video and find value in it! If so, please consider Thumbs Up, Subscribe, and Becoming A Member Of The Channel!


Thank you for supporting the channel!





Highlighted Starlink Hardware I Have Tested In The Past:


For High-Speed Access Points (ex. Starlink or Cable)

For Slower Speed Access Points (ex. ATT)

[ Social Media & Additional Connections ]


The above are my Amazon affiliate links - if you purchase anything using the links above, you're supporting this channel at no additional cost to you! I appreciate your support!

[Chuck]

I was on a plane, didn't bother connecting to the 10 dollar wifi for an hours flight, and was amazed my iPhone automatically connected to Starlink DTC! I was so surprised.

[robertallenmcdowell]

Had the fun of satellite texting yesterday. In a non-signal area. Only had to keep pointing the phone keep the green indicator. Worked perfectly.

[davidswanson]

Kick A** Joe, super breakdown and introduction. Information overload! You got my right eye lid twitching as I am really interested in this tech. Thanks!

[danpowell]

I had an opportunity to use dtc the other day when the towers were down. So cool, it worked, I just had to find the satellite and do my communications outside. Still pretty cool!

[hankfox]

Excellent video Joe. Just a note that ham radio operators routinely contact the International Space Station (254 mi up) with 1 to 5 watt handheld radios - both transmit and receive - usually using a "Yagi"(highly directional) hand aimed portable antenna. They also have processes to use "Low Power Digital Communication" in which they transmit digitized text messages hundred to thousands of miles away on 1 watt. I'm not trivializing SpaceX DTC which does a whole lot more. The main limitations are how to get more power out of your mobile without setting your hair on fire and for the big abtenna in the sky to figure out where you are so it can beam form back to you. Neither is anywhere close to trivial. Based on progress in the Amateur Radio world, it will get better but there will be solid limitations to conquer.

[butchlanders]

I just got an email yesterday with my approval for T-Mobile DTC Beta Test

[jplacido]

Future celular phones can be planned to have a dedicated or more favorable antenna to facilitate DTC.
It will help a lot.

[JamesGrady-rplq]

That was a very good explanation. Especially the antenna part.😊

[tjmiracle]

Great detailed information and also great coverage once again🚀🚀🚀

[drfirechief]

Another great tech explanation for all the luddites out there. Thanks Joe.

[joneyjimms]

Great explanations. Good info. Now let's just do it! Let's go go go.

[TitanIV_Pad_Rat]

More great information! Thank you very much!

[larsulrich]

That is an amazing technology. Could you do a vlog on how you set up your cell phone to use Starlink's cell service?

[ericjohnson]

Great explanation! I am a Radio Frequency Communication Engineer, and you did a great job explaining the technical details to a broad audience. I didn't realize the DTC satellites are 200 km closer than the other satellites ... that definitely helps make the connection possible to general cell phones.

[philgarrett]

I can't wait for the Tesla Pi Phone! It has great technology and the price is very reasonable. Hoping it's released sooner than later. The price should be around $350 give or take.

[Chuck]

iPhone 2G was amazing in 2007, only 18 years later our iPhones are basically satellite phones. I have no doubt the tech will be even more amazing 10 years from now. In 20 or 30 more years, people are gonna be *complaining* about the slow video signals - while talking to their friends on Mars.

[Neeboopsh]

on the ground, the tower must be in line of sight, based on its height and the curvature of the planet. towers are usually also 3 antennas (or arrays) that cover 120deg arcs. a space satellite only covers a cone underneath it. not 3 arrays shooting 360deg horizontal and in a cone of maybe 120deg vertical. and much of the distance from the satellite down is also through very thin or virtually no atmosphere. so refraction/scattering are at a minimum. but mostly is the curve of the earth

[jplacido]

The signal during the hurricane test was not going through the concrete and roof...😂😂😂
It was going through some ventilation or window😊😊👍👍

[Superpegleg]

Yeah this has always been one of the hardest things to explain to people even when it comes to just regular tower transmission. Very well explained. Also on a side note did you hear about the malware that is specifically targeting TP-Link Routers? I'm sure its not coincidence considering what you went over on them recently.