In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in North Carolina, the FCC has approved an emergency measure allowing SpaceX and T-Mobile to provide Starlink satellite coverage directly to cellphones in the disaster zones. The temporary approval is intended to aid recovery efforts by restoring wireless communications for both residents and emergency responders.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, announced that Starlink satellites have been broadcasting emergency alerts to cellphones across all networks in affected areas of North Carolina. Additionally, the company has begun testing basic text messaging capabilities on T-Mobile’s network, providing a critical line of communication as recovery efforts continue.
The destruction from Hurricane Helene initially left over 74% of cell towers out of service in disaster-impacted areas, making communication difficult. However, as of October 6, that number had decreased to 17%, thanks to the efforts of crews working to restore service.
While T-Mobile’s network is nearly fully operational, the FCC’s emergency approval of Starlink’s direct-to-cell service is seen as an essential step to ensure continuous connectivity during the recovery process.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr noted that while Starlink’s full constellation of direct-to-cell satellites is not yet deployed, the FCC is focused on using this early version to help with disaster response. “It is important to manage expectations here,” Carr said, acknowledging that Starlink is still in its testing phase but highlighting its potential to offer vital support to first responders.
T-Mobile and SpaceX first announced plans for this collaboration in 2022, with the goal of using Starlink’s satellite network to provide cell coverage in underserved areas. Though the technology is still developing, its deployment during disasters like Hurricane Helene highlights its potential to revolutionize emergency communications.
