China’s LEO operator Spacesail has successfully completed its first direct-to-cell voice calls using standard commercial smartphones, with call quality reportedly comparable to terrestrial 5G networks.
The test used a dedicated satellite (DTC 01) designed for direct-to-cell communication, marking a shift from the company’s earlier broadband-focused satellites. Unlike China’s geostationary Tiantong-1 system, Spacesail’s low-Earth orbit satellites operate much closer to Earth, enabling stronger signals without special hardware.
The company plans rapid expansion, targeting 324 satellites by end-2026, 648 by 2027, and eventually over 15,000 for full-scale deployment.
The development places Spacesail in growing global competition with systems like Starlink, which already operates thousands of satellites and offers both broadband and limited direct-to-cell services.
Credit : CGTN
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