Starlink launches Direct-to-Cell trial in Malaysia

Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that Starlink will conduct a Direct‑to‑Cell (D2C) trial in the country. The service uses Starlink satellites to act as low‑Earth‑orbit LTE base stations, allowing standard 4G smartphones to connect directly without a dedicated dish or satellite phone. The trial aims to provide mobile coverage in rural and hard‑to‑reach areas where building new towers is costly and slow, with satellite deployment expected to be faster and cheaper than the typical 18‑24‑month tower construction timeline. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has invited local mobile operators to explore the technology, which already includes more than 650 first‑generation D2C satellites in orbit.

If successful, the solution could reduce mobile dead zones and improve connectivity for motorists and remote communities across Malaysia.