SpaceX is making strides in its ambitious plan to provide satellite-to-cellular service through its Starlink project. Last summer, CEO Elon Musk announced a partnership with T-Mobile to bring Starlink’s satellite coverage to compatible T-Mobile devices. Now, the company is gearing up to start testing its service, according to a panel at the Satellite Conference and Exhibition 2023.

Jonathan Hofeller, the VP of Starlink enterprise sales at SpaceX, said the company plans to “start getting into testing” this year and will be working with telcos to learn as much as possible from the testing process. Although Hofeller did not specify which telco SpaceX was partnering with, the timeline coincides with Musk’s vision for the T-Mobile partnership, which promised near-complete coverage in the United States, including areas that are notoriously difficult to find a signal, such as national parks, mountain ranges, deserts, and other remote locations.

During the panel, industry leaders expressed optimism about the future of satellite-to-cellular technology. Lynk Global CEO Charles Miller stated that the satellite cellular service has the potential to be the “biggest category in satellite,” and Iridium CEO Matt Desch sees cellular satellite service as just the beginning. Desch envisions satellite technology connecting to computers, vehicles, and other devices, enabling connectivity everywhere.

The move towards satellite-to-cellular service marks a significant milestone for SpaceX’s Starlink project, which aims to provide high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas across the globe. By eliminating dead zones worldwide, Starlink could revolutionize the way people communicate and access information, and the company’s partnership with T-Mobile could help it achieve its goals.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the demand for reliable connectivity grows, and satellite technology could play a crucial role in meeting that demand. With companies like SpaceX and T-Mobile leading the way, it’s an exciting time for the industry, and consumers can look forward to a future of seamless connectivity, no matter where they are.