SpaceX & T-Mobile Activate Starlink for Hurricane Helene Relief
SpaceX and T-Mobile have swiftly responded to Hurricane Helene's impact, receiving emergency authorization from the FCC to activate Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capabilities in affected areas. Services will be offered on a best-effort basis due to the constellation not being fully deployed yet.
The FCC granted this approval sometime before or during 2025, following SpaceX's receipt of authorization for direct-to-cell satellite services in 2023 and significant spectrum acquisitions in September 2025. As a result, Starlink satellites have been activated and are currently broadcasting emergency alerts to cell phones across all networks in North Carolina. In addition, SpaceX and T-Mobile are planning tests for basic texting (SMS) capabilities on T-Mobile's network in the region.
This collaborative effort between SpaceX and T-Mobile ensures critical communication services remain accessible to those affected by Hurricane Helene, despite the partial deployment status of the direct-to-cell constellation.
