(Reuters)-The iPhone devices from Apple are now eligible to test the direct-to-cell papability of SpaceX ownership Starlink that offers coverage from space, according to T-Mobile, a partner in the program.
T-Mobile and Elon Musk's SpaceX are currently testing the Starlink Cell Network on trial base after approval from the Federal Communications Commission in November last year.
The test offers 'text via satellite', while speech and data functions will be added in the future, according to the T-Mobile website.
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T-Mobile initially mentioned only a few Android smartphones as eligible devices to test the network, but has now added iPhone devices with the latest iOS 18.3 software update.
Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday for the first time that Apple, SpaceX and T-Mobile worked secretively to add support for the network in his latest iPhone software.
Apple and SpaceX did not immediately respond to Reuters's requests for comments outside of regular office hours.
In October last year, the FCC SpaceX and T-Mobile had allowed Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capacity possible to offer mobile phones in areas in North Carolina that was hit hard by Hurricane Helene.
(Reporting by Ojasvi Gupta and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; adaptation by Mrigank Dhaniwala)
