SpaceX launched its first batch of Starlink satellites designed to connect directly to unmodified smartphones Jan. 2 after getting a temporary experimental license to start testing the capability in the United States.
I am curious how many of these new Starlink satellites will need to be deployed before they can start offering the service to the public? I heard somewhere the plans were for 7500 of them in total but guessing the minimum for basic text message coverage will be far lower.