The FCC has granted SpaceX permission to go forward with plans to offer a direct-to-phone version of its Starlink satellite internet service, with

The Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday it has approved a license for T-Mobile and Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink unit to provide supplemental coverage from space in a bid to extend internet access to remote areas.

T-Mobile and Starlink have been working since 2022 to bring direct-to-cell satellite service to T-Mobile subscribers. Now, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has signed off, in an industry-first. The commission says bringing satellite cell service to mobile customers has "critical public interest benefits."

"The FCC is actively promoting competition in the space economy by supporting more partnerships between terrestrial mobile carriers and satellite operators to deliver on a single network future that will put an end to mobile dead zones," said FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement.

The FCC approved T-Mobile and SpaceX's license to provide supplemental telecom coverage from space to eliminate dead zones.

SpaceX's direct-to-cell technology will connect millions of Americans with T-Mobiles network, but there are still over 500,000 square miles of the US with no cell service. FCC approval sets SpaceX ahead in the market,

The Federal Communications Commission has approved a license for T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS) and Starlink to provide supplemental coverage to extend internet access to remote areas in the U.S., Reuters reported on Tuesday.