Elon Musk's Starlink Mobile Aims to Revolutionize Global Connectivity with 25 Million Users by 2026

While terrestrial operators fight for every fraction of connectivity, Elon Musk has decided that the future of telecommunications lies much higher than the clouds. SpaceX has officially renamed its service for direct satellite connection to smartphones from Direct-to-cell to the proudly named Starlink Mobile. The name change is not just a marketing rebranding but a clear signal to the market: SpaceX is entering the territory of traditional mobile communication. According to the company's plans, by the end of 2026, the number of active service users should exceed 25 million people.

For context: as of December 2025, this number barely reached 6 million. This means that within a year, the audience should grow fourfold. This seems bold, considering that most users still perceive satellite communication as something for polar explorers or yacht owners. However, Starlink Mobile is aimed at the mass consumer who is tired of searching for a signal in the forest or on the road. SpaceX is essentially proposing to forget about the concept of a "coverage zone" since the sky is accessible everywhere.

Technological leap: V2 satellites

Interestingly, this growth is predicted even before the mass deployment of second-generation Starlink V2 Mobile satellites into orbit. Their launch is planned for mid-2027, and they are expected to be a real technological breakthrough. The V2 satellites will have 100 times greater data transmission density compared to the first iteration and 16 times more beams per apparatus. This will enable download speeds of up to 150 Mbps directly to a regular smartphone without any additional equipment.

In fact, we will get a satellite "5G" that will work where it is physically impossible to install a base station. So far, this sounds like science fiction, but SpaceX has already proven that they can turn bold ideas into weekly rocket launches. The main advantage here is the absence of the need for special antennas or terminals, as the connection will go directly to the antenna already in your pocket.

Ukrainian case: from 5 to 12 million

The Ukrainian market deserves special attention. The CEO of telecom group Veon (which includes Kyivstar) predicts that the number of Starlink users in Ukraine will grow to 12 million by the end of this year. Currently, this figure is about 5 million. This dynamic is explained not only by the need for autonomous communication but also by the rapid adaptation of the technology in business and the public sector.

If the forecast comes true, Ukraine will become one of the largest markets for SpaceX in Europe. This creates an interesting precedent: a country with a developed 4G network actively integrates a space provider, forcing local players to reconsider their development strategies. Of course, there remains the question of price and the network's real capacity with such a load. 150 Mbps on paper is excellent, but when these megabits start to be shared by millions of people simultaneously, the reality may be somewhat more modest. However, competition from space is the best that could have happened to the conservative telecommunications market in recent decades.

While SpaceX is developing the network, they are not forgetting about the transport for its expansion. Currently, active assembly of Starship S40 and Booster 20 is underway, which are to become key elements of future missions to launch heavy second-generation satellites into orbit.