[dotnet00]

SpaceX has been launching direct-to-cell satellites for a bit now (a couple per Starlink batch), IIRC they said they need to get to ~300 such satellites to provide consistent service in at least some places. Although, again, worth emphasizing that 'large scale' in this case is still just to provide emergency coverage in places with no other coverage.

[schiffern]

So far they have 233 DTC satellites in space, but some are still raising their orbit and not operational yet.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/09/24/live-coverage-spacex-t...