Cell phone companies can now use satellites to fill coverage gaps, starting in three years

The US government has approved new rules that let cell phone companies use satellites to provide coverage in areas without cell towers. This means people in remote or rural areas might soon get cell service where they had none before.

For decades, cell service has relied on ground-based towers, leaving vast areas without coverage. This change means that a phone company can now integrate satellite signals directly into its network, using the same phone people already own. It opens up new revenue streams for satellite operators and expands the reach of existing cellular providers, potentially bringing basic connectivity to millions who currently lack it.