SpaceX’s satellite internet service Starlink has unveiled plans for a new generation of satellites designed to deliver full cellular connectivity, including 5G capability, directly to smartphones.
In a statement on its website, the company said its upcoming Starlink Mobile V2 satellites will power what it described as the highest-performing satellite-to-mobile network built so far, enabling users to connect to mobile networks from virtually anywhere.
The system is designed to complement terrestrial mobile networks and could significantly expand coverage in rural and underserved areas, including parts of Nigeria where connectivity gaps remain wide.
According to Starlink, the V2 satellites will be powered by custom silicon developed by SpaceX and advanced phased-array antennas capable of supporting thousands of spatial beams.
This architecture is expected to deliver about 20 times more throughput than the company’s first-generation satellites, allowing standard smartphones to access high-speed connections suitable for video streaming, video calls, and remote work.
“In most environments, Starlink Mobile V2 will enable full 5G cellular connectivity with a comparable experience to current terrestrial service,” the company said.
The system will integrate with telecom operators’ existing networks, allowing smartphones to switch seamlessly between satellite coverage and ground-based 5G infrastructure without interruption.
Satellite-to-mobile connectivity is emerging as a key innovation in the telecom industry because it allows ordinary smartphones to connect directly to satellites using existing mobile spectrum, without specialised dishes or terminals.
Last year, the Nigerian Communications Commission signalled support for Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite services in its draft Spectrum Roadmap for 2025–2030, saying the technology could expand voice and data coverage to rural, riverine, and border communities beyond the reach of mobile towers.
The regulator added that D2D connectivity could also improve network resilience during fibre cuts, power outages, and other disruptions affecting terrestrial networks.
