Starlink is preparing a major upgrade to its satellite network, with next-generation V2 satellites promising what the company calls “5G speeds from space.”
According to Starlink, the new satellites will deliver up to 100 times the data density of the current V1 generation. This could potentially transform how satellite connectivity performs on everyday phones.
So far, satellite-to-phone services have focused more on coverage than speed. Current Starlink mobile connectivity is largely limited to basic messaging and light data use, particularly in areas without reliable cellular coverage. However, the V2 upgrade aims to push that much further. This will bring significantly higher bandwidth and faster data speeds.
One of the more notable changes is compatibility. Starlink says the upcoming system will work with hundreds of existing LTE smartphones. This will allow devices to connect directly to satellites without needing special antennas or hardware. In practice, the satellites will act like cell towers in low Earth orbit. Therefore, they will enable phones to maintain a connection even when conventional networks aren’t available.
SpaceX plans to launch up to 15,000 V2 satellites as part of the broader Starlink constellation expansion. Early testing of the upgraded network is expected to begin around early 2027. Although the full performance gains will depend on how quickly the larger constellation can be deployed.
In the meantime, the company has already begun launching V2 Mini satellites. These are designed to bridge the gap between the current generation and the full V2 rollout.
Starlink is also working with mobile operators to make the system more seamless. Partnerships including one with T-Mobile in the US aim to allow phones to switch between satellite and terrestrial networks without noticeable interruptions.
If the network scales as planned, Starlink suggests peak speeds of around 150Mbps per user could eventually be achievable. That would be a major leap for satellite connectivity. Historically, satellite networks have lagged far behind conventional cellular networks in both speed and capacity.
For now, though, much of that promise depends on the pace of satellite launches and how quickly the full V2 constellation becomes operational. Until then, Starlink’s satellite-to-phone service previously known as Direct to Cell and now branded Starlink Mobile will continue offering more basic connectivity where traditional coverage is limited.
