FCC Approves Starlink Emergency Coverage For Hurricane Helene Areas

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted emergency approval for Elon Musk’s SpaceX and T-Mobile to activate Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service in parts of North Carolina devastated by Hurricane Helene. This temporary approval is designed to restore critical communication services for residents and emergency responders in the hardest-hit areas.

The FCC routinely issues temporary approvals in the wake of disasters, helping companies like SpaceX restore wireless and internet services. An FCC spokesperson emphasized the agency’s commitment to aiding recovery efforts, noting, “We stand ready to do all that is necessary to return connectivity to hard-hit areas and save lives.”

SpaceX announced that its Starlink satellites have been activated and are broadcasting emergency alerts directly to cellphones on all networks in the affected regions. The company is also testing basic texting capabilities (SMS) for cellphones using T-Mobile’s network. While the full Starlink satellite constellation for direct-to-cell service is not yet operational, the early-stage deployment is expected to provide crucial assistance to the recovery process.

Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, North Carolina saw over 74% of cell towers knocked offline. As of October 6, that number had dropped to 17% as crews work to restore service. T-Mobile added that its network in the affected regions is almost fully restored, with fewer than 1% of its sites still offline due to particularly challenging conditions.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr emphasized the importance of providing emergency alerts, saying that although Starlink’s direct-to-cell network is still in its testing phase, the FCC is working to manage expectations while addressing urgent needs for connectivity in disaster-stricken areas.

T-Mobile initially partnered with SpaceX in 2022 to offer network access via Starlink to mobile users, with plans to start with basic text messaging and eventually expand to voice and data capabilities. The companies’ collaboration is expected to offer future solutions for improving communication during disasters.