The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized SpaceX’s Starlink, in partnership with T-Mobile, to deliver direct-to-cell service in regions of North Carolina severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. This emergency measure aims to restore communication services as the recovery process begins.
Following the hurricane, which struck on September 28, over 74% of cell towers in affected areas were out of service. As restoration efforts progressed, this figure has since dropped to 17%. The FCC stated its commitment to re-establishing connectivity and supporting first responders in the affected states.
SpaceX has already activated the Starlink satellites, which are broadcasting emergency alerts to cellphones across all networks in North Carolina. The company is also planning to test basic text messaging capabilities for T-Mobile users in the region.T-Mobile reported that its network is nearly fully restored, with less than 1% of sites still offline due to ongoing challenges. The company emphasized the importance of early access to connectivity for those in disaster-stricken areas, even as Starlink’s direct-to-cell constellation is not yet fully operational.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr noted that the primary focus is on enabling emergency alerts, urging users to manage their expectations as the service continues to develop.In January, T-Mobile announced the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the first set of Starlink satellites capable of directly connecting to smartphones. The companies initially outlined plans for text messaging services, with voice and data capabilities expected in the future.
As the situation evolves, the FCC and telecommunications providers are working diligently to ensure that those affected by Hurricane Helene can regain vital communication services.
Philips Babatunde