Going off-grid would possibly quickly be a factor of the previous, as T-Mobile’s partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite tv for pc service will get able to launch on July 23. The alliance will present direct-to-cell messaging service, referred to as T-Satellite, which may even be out there to AT&T and Verizon cellphone prospects.T-Mobile says its purpose is to “eliminate mobile dead zones for good” by using 657 Starlink satellites that will probably be used completely for cellphone service. T-Satellite has been in beta testing since Dec. 2024, with almost 1.8 million customers signing up up to now.The direct-to-cell messaging service represents a serious step ahead in cellular know-how: It works with most telephones made over the past 4 years, in response to T-Mobile, as a substitute of requiring devoted {hardware}. It will probably be out there to T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon prospects for $10 a month — or free for anybody on T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan. “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 promoting, technique and merchandise, advised 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.”However, you would possibly nonetheless profit even in the event you don’t join, as T-Mobile will make the service free for emergency makes use of. The firm stated 911 texting will probably be out there later this yr 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 permit 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 will probably be devoted totally to T-Satellite. The purpose is to increase protection into the 500,000 sq. miles of the nation 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 iOS and Android. Android users will also get MMS (multimedia messaging service) immediately, with iOS support “to follow.” This means customers will be capable of ship photos and audio clips along with normal textual content messages. In October, the service will increase to incorporate information help in third-party apps like AccuWeather, AllTrails, WhatsApp and X. The entry takes benefit of hooks constructed into iOS and Android, so builders could make their apps able to sending information by means of the slim quantities of bandwidth out there by way of satellite tv for pc.This is much past what the opposite cellphone carriers have launched up to now within the satellite tv for pc realm — largely on account of T-Mobile’s partnership with Starlink. AT&T and Verizon have each partnered with AST AreaMobile for satellite tv for pc messaging, and Verizon advised CNET’s Eli Blumenthal final yr 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 value?On July 23, T-Satellite will probably be out there 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) will get the service without spending a dime indefinitely, and people on the Experience More plan ($85 monthly) will get it by means of the tip of the yr. Even in the event you don’t pay the $10 a month, T-Mobile says 911 texting will probably be out there later this yr “to any mobile customer with a compatible device, regardless of carrier.”If you’re a Verizon or AT&T buyer, you’ll should activate T-Satellite as a second eSIM in your cellphone to reap the benefits of the service. You can discover directions on establishing the eSIM right here. Which telephones are supported?Most telephones launched up to now couple of years will work with T-Satellite. Here are the gadgets which can be at the moment appropriate with the beta model:AppleiPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, or 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 XCover7 ProSamsung Galaxy Z Flip3Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6*(Some non-T-Mobile machine variants usually are not satellite tv for pc succesful)When T-Satellite formally launches on July 23, the next gadgets may even 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 machine variants usually are not satellite tv for pc succesful)T-MobileT-Mobile Revvl 7T-Mobile Revvl 7 ProHow to attempt T-Mobile’s Starlink service as we speakIf you’re anxious to attempt T-Mobile’s Starlink satellite tv for pc messaging service and don’t need to wait till July 23, you may nonetheless try to join the beta. I wouldn’t maintain out an excessive amount of hope, although — once I entered my data, I bought 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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