3 min read Last Updated : Oct 07 2024 | 8:44 AM IST Listen to This Article The US Federal Communications Commission on Sunday allowed Elon Musk's SpaceX and T Mobile to enable Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability to provide coverage for cellphones in areas of North Carolina hard-hit by Hurricane Helene. The FCC often grants such emergency temporary approvals during disasters to help restore wireless and internet services in badly impacted areas and to allow for testing. Oil moguls emerge as key cash source for Donald Trump as race nears its end FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said that "the focus is on enabling emergency alerts to smartphones." Carr added that "it is important to manage expectations here. Starlink does not have a full constellation of direct-to-cell satellites in space yet. ... Starlink is giving this a shot nonetheless to help address the serious need for connectivity in these disaster areas." T Mobile said in January that SpaceX had launched a Falcon 9 rocket with the first set of Starlink satellites that can beam phone signals from space directly to smartphones. The companies announced plans to provide mobile users with network access in parts of the United States in August 2022. T Mobile said at the time that the direct-to-cell service would begin with text messaging followed by voice and data capabilities in the coming years. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Also Read