T-Mobile has launched its beta testing of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service, allowing users to send SMS text messages outdoors in areas beyond terrestrial coverage. Announced during the Super Bowl, the beta is open to all T-Mobile postpaid users and customers of AT&T and Verizon for free until July.
T-Mobile launches beta testing for Starlink satellite SMS service
In July, T-Mobile will begin charging for the service, which will be included in its Go5G Next plan and available as an add-on to other plans for $15 per month. T-Mobile subscribers who sign up during the beta will lock in a rate of $10 per month. For AT&T and Verizon customers, the service will cost $20 per month.
T-Mobile users can enroll in the beta through the carrier’s website, where they will be added on a first-come, first-served basis. T-Mobile wasn’t initially planning to extend the service to customers of rival carriers until prompted by a Verizon advertisement featuring astronaut Buzz Aldrin, which promotes satellite texting.
Currently, T-Mobile and Starlink have over 450 satellites in orbit, covering 500,000 square miles where terrestrial networks are absent. T-Mobile has already enrolled tens of thousands of users in the beta and is working with device manufacturers to ensure compatibility with smartphones from the last four years, including the iPhone 14 and Galaxy S21.
T-Mobile’s Starlink beta lets you text where cell towers can’t reach
Emergency coverage and future features
T-Mobile has previously employed this satellite technology to assist in emergencies, such as during Hurricanes Milton and Helene, as well as the recent Los Angeles fires. In emergency situations, T-Mobile may provide access to the satellite service regardless of the customer’s plan. T-Mobile has stated that they will notify users when more devices are compatible with the beta service.
Initially, the service will focus on SMS messaging, but T-Mobile plans to introduce voice and data capabilities later this year. The carrier aims to allow users to send larger multimedia messages by the beta’s end in July. T-Mobile has been collaborating with app developers to optimize applications for the satellite network’s bandwidth.
After the beta period, the satellite messaging feature will be free with the Go5G Next plan, and available for $15 a month for other plans. Non-T-Mobile customers can sign up for the Starlink service for $20 per month. Subscribers to T-Mobile’s service can manage their eSIMs for seamless connectivity, even if they are using different carriers.
T-Mobile’s efforts in launching the Starlink service position it as a competitor against other companies like AT&T and Verizon, both of which are also exploring satellite communication options. The company’s initiative represents a significant step forward in integrating satellite technology with mobile connectivity.
