SpaceX and Starlink and T-Mobile $TMUS (+0,19%) have received an emergency special authorization from the Federal Communications Commission 🇺🇸 to Starlink satellites with direct cellular connectivity to provide cellular coverage in areas affected by Hurricane Helene affected by Hurricane Helene.

The satellites are already active and sending emergency alerts to cell phones of all carriers in North Carolina.

In addition, Starlink could test sending text messages to most cell phones on the T-Mobile network in North Carolina.

Since SpaceX's direct-to-cell satellite network is not yet fully deployed, all services will be provided on a best-effort basis. -SpaceX