# FCC Grants Emergency Authority to Starlink and T-Mobile for Satellite-to-Phone Coverage in Hurricane Helene-Affected Areas
In a pivotal decision aimed at enhancing communication capabilities in areas hit by disasters, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has conferred **SpaceX’s Starlink** and **T-Mobile** with emergency special temporary authority (STA) to offer satellite-to-phone coverage in regions affected by **Hurricane Helene**. This emergency approval enables Starlink’s satellites to provide vital wireless communication services directly to mobile devices, ensuring that both citizens and emergency personnel in impacted zones can maintain connectivity during the emergency.
## Emergency Satellite Coverage in North Carolina
SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, revealed that its satellites are already operational, providing emergency notifications to cell phones across all carriers in **North Carolina**, one of the states affected by Hurricane Helene. Beyond delivering emergency alerts, SpaceX is also evaluating basic SMS capabilities for most mobile devices on the **T-Mobile network** in the area.
“Thanks to the emergency special temporary authority granted by the FCC, SpaceX and T-Mobile can activate Starlink satellites for direct-to-cell service to enhance coverage for cell phones in the Hurricane Helene-affected regions,” SpaceX stated in a release. “The satellites have been activated and are now sending out emergency alerts to cell phones on every network in North Carolina.”
While this emergency service provides crucial support for those affected by the hurricane, SpaceX has advised that the service is not yet suited for commercial use. “SpaceX’s direct-to-cell constellation has not been completely deployed, so all services will be provided on a best-effort basis,” the company explained.
## Monitoring Hurricane Milton
Alongside its efforts in North Carolina, SpaceX is diligently tracking **Hurricane Milton**, which poses a threat to **Florida**. The company has expressed that it stands ready to undertake similar emergency measures in Florida should the need arise. Ben Longmier, Senior Director of Satellite Engineering at SpaceX, affirmed this in a message on X (previously Twitter), saying, “We are also closely monitoring Hurricane Milton and are prepared to react in Florida.”
## Temporary Spectrum Authority and FCC Support
The FCC’s emergency authorization permits SpaceX to utilize its **Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS)** in the **1910–1915 MHz** and **1990–1995 MHz** frequency bands, leased from T-Mobile. This spectrum is being utilized to deliver satellite-to-phone service in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. Although the service is primarily active in North Carolina at this time, the FCC has indicated that the approval encompasses all regions affected by the hurricane.
In addition to granting temporary spectrum authority to SpaceX and T-Mobile, the FCC has embarked on various additional measures to support communication providers and public safety in disaster-stricken regions. The agency has implemented special temporary authorities and regulatory waivers to aid in maintaining and restoring communication services, facilitate emergency operations, and assist with search and rescue activities. These efforts are essential for ensuring that both first responders and community members can communicate efficiently during and following the hurricane.
The FCC has also temporarily lifted certain eligibility regulations for the **Lifeline program**, which offers reduced phone and broadband services to low-income individuals. This waiver aims to support individuals in disaster-affected regions in applying for and securing necessary communication services during recovery.
## Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell Capabilities
SpaceX’s Starlink service, historically focused on delivering broadband internet via a network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, started launching satellites with **direct-to-cell capabilities** in **January 2024**. These satellites are intended to provide cellular service in locations where traditional cell towers are scarce or unreliable, including remote areas or disaster zones.
Earlier this year, SpaceX showcased the potential of this technology by facilitating text message exchanges between T-Mobile phones through one of its Starlink satellites. This achievement represented a significant advancement towards the broader implementation of satellite-to-phone services, which could alleviate coverage deficiencies in regions where conventional cellular networks face limitations due to terrain, land-use policies, or other influences.
T-Mobile has been a crucial collaborator in this endeavor, and the company has shown enthusiasm about the possibilities of Starlink’s direct-to-cell service in enhancing its network coverage. “This service will assist in filling gaps in areas where we lack coverage because of terrain constraints, land-use limitations, and other issues,” T-Mobile stated.
## The Future of Satellite-to-Phone Communication
Although the current application of Starlink’s satellite-to-phone service is restricted to emergency scenarios, the technology holds significant potential for the future of global communication. Once fully operational, this service has the potential to transform how individuals maintain connectivity, especially in rural or disaster-prone regions where traditional cellular infrastructure is insufficient.
For the moment, efforts continue to prioritize immediate support for those affected by Hurricane Helene and to ensure that communication lines remain uninterrupted during the ongoing recovery initiatives. The collaboration between Space
