Going off-grid may quickly be a factor of the previous, as T-Mobile’s partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite tv for pc web service will get able to launch on July 23. The direct-to-cell messaging service, referred to as T-Satellite, may also be accessible to AT&T and Verizon cellphone prospects.T-Mobile says its aim is to “eliminate mobile dead zones for good” by means of 657 Starlink satellites that’ll be used completely for cellphone service. T-Satellite has been in beta testing since December 2024, with practically 1.8 million customers signing up to this point.The direct-to-cell messaging service represents a significant step ahead in cell know-how: It works with most telephones made over the last 4 years, in line with T-Mobile, as a substitute of requiring devoted {hardware}. It’ll be accessible to T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon prospects for $10 a month — or free for anybody on T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans. “At the end of the day, it’s nice to be able to send a selfie when you’re in a place where there is no coverage, but it’s vital to be able to connect to emergency services,” Mike Katz, T-Mobile president of selling, technique and merchandise, instructed CNET’s Jeff Carlson. “We just think that with a technology like this, no customer should ever be in a situation where they are unconnected in an emergency.”Sadly, T-Mobile has already had a motive to check out this emergency service, when it enabled T-Satellite earlier this week in communities affected by huge flooding in Central Texas. T-Mobile prospects within the space are ready to make use of text-to-911 and fundamental textual content messaging, and so they can obtain emergency alerts on appropriate units. In the longer term, T-Satellite might be free for emergency makes use of throughout the nation. The firm mentioned 911 texting might be accessible later this 12 months to “any mobile customer with a compatible device, regardless of carrier or whether or not they are subscribed to the service.” What is T-Satellite?T-Satellite is a partnership between T-Mobile and Starlink that may enable direct-to-cell SMS messaging accessibility in areas the place there isn’t a mobile protection. Starlink has greater than 7,000 low-Earth orbit satellites within the sky, and now, 657 of them might be devoted solely to T-Satellite. The aim is to broaden protection into the 500,000 sq. miles of the US that conventional cell towers can’t attain, says T-Mobile.“When you leave the terrestrial network and you go to a place where there’s no network, your phone will automatically search for and connect to the satellite network, which is quite different than any other of the satellite systems that are out there that force you to manually connect, and you have to point your phone up to the sky,” says Katz.Satellite connectivity in cellphones isn’t exactly new — iPhones have had it since 2022 — but it’s typically been reserved for SOS messaging to connect you with an emergency dispatcher. On July 23, T-Satellite users will be able to send SMS texts on iPhone and Android. Android users will also get MMS immediately, with iPhone support “to follow.” This means customers will have the ability to ship pictures and audio clips along with commonplace textual content messages. In October, the service will broaden to incorporate knowledge assist in third-party apps like AccuWeather, AllTrails, WhatsApp and X. The entry takes benefit of hooks constructed into iOS and Android software program, so builders could make their apps able to sending knowledge via the slim quantities of bandwidth accessible through satellite tv for pc.This is much past what the opposite cellphone carriers have launched to this point within the satellite tv for pc realm — largely as a result of T-Mobile’s partnership with Starlink. AT&T and Verizon have each partnered with AST HouseMobile for satellite tv for pc messaging, and Verizon instructed CNET’s Eli Blumenthal final 12 months that it’s nonetheless planning on working with Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which launched its first 27 satellites on April 28, 2025.“Despite things that our competitors have said, they are way, way behind on this technology,” says Katz. How a lot will T-Satellite price?On July 23, T-Satellite might be accessible to AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon prospects for a standalone $10 monthly. But there’s one exception: Customers on T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan ($100 monthly for one line) or the Go5G Next plan will get the service for included in the price of the plan going ahead, and people on the Experience More plan ($85 monthly) will get it via the top of the 12 months. Even in the event you don’t pay the $10 a month, T-Mobile says 911 texting might be accessible later this 12 months “to any mobile customer with a compatible device, regardless of carrier.”If you’re a Verizon or AT&T buyer, you’ll must activate T-Satellite as a second eSIM in your cellphone to benefit from the service. You can discover directions on organising the eSIM right here. Which telephones are supported?Most telephones launched prior to now couple of years will work with T-Satellite. Here are the units which might be at present appropriate with the beta model:AppleiPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and that iPhone 16 (all fashions)GoogleGoogle Pixel 9Google Pixel 9AGoogle Pixel 9 ProGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLGoogle Pixel 9 Pro FoldMotorolaMoto G Stylus 2025Moto Razr 2024 Moto Razr Plus 2024 Moto Razr 2025Moto Razr Plus 2025Moto Razr Ultra 2025Moto Razr Ultra Plus 2025SamsungSamsung Galaxy A25 5G SE*Samsung Galaxy A35 5GSamsung Galaxy A36Samsung Galaxy A36 SESamsung Galaxy A53 5GSamsung Galaxy A54 5G*Samsung Galaxy S21Samsung Galaxy S21 PlusSamsung Galaxy S21 UltraSamsung Galaxy S21 FESamsung Galaxy S22Samsung Galaxy S22 PlusSamsung Galaxy S22 UltraSamsung Galaxy S22 FESamsung Galaxy S23Samsung Galaxy S23 PlusSamsung Galaxy S23 UltraSamsung Galaxy S23 FESamsung Galaxy S24Samsung Galaxy S24 PlusSamsung Galaxy S24 UltraSamsung Galaxy S24 FESamsung Galaxy S25Samsung Galaxy S25 PlusSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraSamsung Galaxy S25 EdgeSamsung Galaxy XCover 7 ProSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 3Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6*Some non-T-Mobile gadget variants are usually not satellite-capable.When T-Satellite launches on July 23, the next units may also be appropriate: MotorolaMotorola Edge 2024Moto G 2024Moto G Stylus 2024Moto G 5G 2024Moto G Stylus 5G 2024SamsungSamsung Galaxy A14Samsung Galaxy A15*Samsung Galaxy A16Samsung Galaxy A35Samsung Galaxy A53*Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro*Some non-T-Mobile gadget variants are usually not satellite-capable.T-MobileT-Mobile Revvl 7T-Mobile Revvl 7 ProHow to strive T-Mobile’s Starlink service immediatelyIf you’re anxious to strive T-Mobile’s Starlink satellite tv for pc messaging service and don’t wish to wait till July 23, you’ll be able to nonetheless try to join the beta. I wouldn’t maintain out an excessive amount of hope, although — after I entered my data, I acquired a message again saying, “Due to high demand, we’re admitting beta testers on a rolling basis. Keep an eye out for an update in the coming weeks.”
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