T-Mobile + SpaceX Starlink D2D: architecture and spectrum sharing

The T-Mobile and SpaceX Partnership

In 2022 T-Mobile and SpaceX announced a groundbreaking partnership to provide D2D satellite service using modified Starlink V2 Mini satellites equipped with large phased-array antennas. The service leverages T-Mobile mid-band PCS spectrum in the 1900 MHz band, the same frequencies used by terrestrial cell towers. This spectrum reuse approach avoids the need for new satellite spectrum allocations but requires sophisticated coordination to prevent interference with terrestrial networks. The initial service launched with text messaging and progressed toward voice and data capabilities as the…