WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Sunday allowed Elon Musk's SpaceX and T Mobile (TMUS.O) to enable Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability to provide coverage for cellphones in areas of North Carolina hard-hit by Hurricane Helene.

"SpaceX and TMobile have been given emergency special temporary authority by the FCC to enable Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability to provide coverage for cell phones in the affected areas of Hurricane Helene," said SpaceX on X, on October 6.

The approval allows SpaceX to use radio frequencies leased from T-Mobile to provide what's called "Supplemental Coverage from Space" beamed from Starlink's low-Earth orbit satellite constellation.

To support recovery efforts in areas devastated by Hurricane Helene, SpaceX, and T-Mobile have temporarily deployed Starlink Cellular, providing emergency alerts and limited texting services. The Federal

Starlink is being used to provide wireless emergency alerts to cell phones from all carriers in North Carolina, according to Ben Longmier, senior director of satellite engineering for SpaceX. "We are also closely monitoring Hurricane Milton and standing by ready to take action in Florida," he wrote.

Starlink's direct-to-cell satellite service for emergency alerts goes online in North Carolina as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton this week.

The FCC has granted a temporary clearance for Starlink’s direct-to-cell service, which could include testing text via satellite for T-Mobile customers in North Carolina.