Malaysia will conduct a trial of Starlink’s satellite-to-phone internet service, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Thursday, as the government seeks to improve connectivity in areas with limited mobile network coverage, the national news agency Bernama reported.

The planned trial will test Starlink’s Direct-to-Device (D2D), or Direct-to-Cell, technology, which enables compatible mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without requiring dedicated satellite equipment, according to Bernama.

Fahmi said Starlink representatives had informed the government of their intention to carry out the trial in Malaysia, describing the technology as a significant step forward for extending internet access to locations beyond the reach of conventional telecommunications towers.

He said the service could help bridge connectivity gaps in remote and underserved areas, complementing existing terrestrial mobile networks rather than replacing them.

The minister was speaking at a memorandum of understanding exchange ceremony between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.

Malaysia has been exploring satellite-based direct-to-device connectivity as part of broader efforts to improve nationwide digital infrastructure, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach regions, according to earlier reports.

Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, already provides satellite high-speed Internet services in Malaysia since 2023.

Featured photo credits: Starlink

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