SpaceX, the company behind the Starlink satellite internet service, is working on a special chip that could bring satellite-based 5G mobile internet to almost any smartphone. This new technology aims to let people connect to the internet from space using their regular phones, without needing extra antennas or special equipment. The chip will use radio frequencies owned by Dish Network to make this possible.
The chip, which is like a small electronic part inside phones, will allow devices to link directly to Starlink satellites in the sky.
This means users could get fast mobile data in far-away places where cell towers don’t reach, like remote areas or during travel over oceans. SpaceX plans to partner with phone makers to add this chip to future models, making satellite internet as easy as regular 5G from your carrier.
Dish Network, a big TV and internet provider, has agreed to share its radio spectrum with SpaceX. This spectrum is like a set of channels that devices use to send and receive signals.
By using Dish’s channels, Starlink can offer 5G speeds that match what people get from their phone plans, but from satellites instead of ground towers. This deal helps Dish expand its services while giving SpaceX more ways to grow its satellite network.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, shared the news on his social media account, saying, “Soon, every phone will have built-in Starlink for seamless global coverage.
No more dead zones!” The company has been testing satellite connections with phones for months and says the chip will work with standard 5G phones, starting with models from major brands in 2026.
This development could change how people stay connected worldwide, especially in rural or underserved areas. It builds on Starlink’s existing satellite internet for homes and businesses, which already serves millions. With the new chip, SpaceX aims to make high-speed internet available everywhere, anytime.
More details on the chip and partnerships are expected soon, as SpaceX continues to launch more satellites to support the growing network.
