Starlink launches Direct to Cell technology in the European Union — Spain will be the first country
Starlink is preparing to launch the Direct to Cell service in the European Union for the first time, with Spain as the pilot site.
The local operator MasOrange has signed an agreement with SpaceX and received regulatory approval to use the allocated spectrum for testing satellite communications that work directly with smartphones without additional equipment.
What is known
Tests will be conducted in the province of Valladolid, where MasOrange will deploy a technical pilot project. The exact launch dates and the list of supported smartphones are not disclosed yet, but it is known that subscribers will be able to use mobile internet for working with individual applications and messengers. The operator emphasizes that the technology will complement the existing network, providing communication in hard-to-reach areas, mountainous regions, and on the coast.
Spain will be the first EU country where Direct to Cell will officially operate. Previously, the technology has shown high interest: in November 2025, the Ukrainian operator Kyivstar launched this service, and in three months, more than 3 million subscribers used it, with the number of satellite SMS sent exceeding 1.2 million.
MasOrange states that the partnership with Starlink confirms the company's commitment to implementing innovations and expanding coverage where traditional infrastructure faces limitations.
It is expected that by 2026, other EU countries will have the opportunity to use Starlink without terminals and other equipment.
Source: Satellitetoday
