The T-Mobile Starlink partnership is one of the most fascinating carrier-related things that have happened lately, and the beta testing is underway already. The official satellite-to-cell service option should be unveiled in July 2025.
During Super Bowl on February 9, T-Mobile showed off its Starlink-powered satellite service. In short, it provides cellular connectivity in areas without traditional coverage.
T-Mobile customers on Go5G Next plans will get the service for free starting in July, while others can add it for $15/month. Business and first responder plans will also include it at no cost. Users from other carriers, including Verizon and AT&T, can try it for free until July, after which it will cost $20/month per line.
This partnership got us waiting long enough: the T-Mobile Starlink collaboration was announced as early as 2022. T-Mobile promised to offer text coverage across the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and territorial waters, even outside its network thanks to SpaceX's satellite launches.
Now, T-Mobile claims there are "555 and counting" satellites launched so far".
In essence, Starlink's low-orbit satellites will fill in when the ordinary, well-known surface-installed towers and cells are nowhere near. Think of remote, rural areas – or national parks, mountains, deserts, or parts of the ocean. So, the new service will be basically "cell towers in space", a.k.a. Direct-to-Cell satellites.
The goal is to eliminate dead zones by providing coverage for the 500,000 square miles of land in the US not covered by earth-bound cell towers – an area bigger than Spain and France… combined.
For the time being, the T-Mobile Starlink service is free – but that's just for the beta testing period, mind you. When the satellite service is officially launched, it will cost additional $$$ to use. Some T-Mobile plans – like the Go5G Next – will get it for free, while users on other plans will have to kick in extra $15 per month. But if you need it, you'll surely pay for it, as it will prove indispensable.
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Until April 1, 2025, T-Mobile beta testers who are not on Go5G Next plans can secure an Early Adopter Discount of $5 off per month. This drops the monthly cost to $10, which sounds encouraging. For Verizon, AT&T and other customers, there's the option to get T-Mobile Starlink without switching to T-Mobile for $20 per month after the beta ends in July.
While the $15-$20 (depending on your plan, you can go as low as $10) price can be seen as "too high" by some, T-Mobile is promising something extraordinary here: a satellite connectivity service even for phones that do not have built-in hardware for satellite connectivity.
It sounds great: as long as you see the sky above, you can get T-Mobile connectivity.
The T-Mobile and SpaceX satellite partnership
Image credit – T-Mobile
T-Mobile's partnership with SpaceX is part of the telco's Coverage Above and Beyond plan that's designed to eliminate zones across the US with no mobile coverage by integrating Starlink's satellite network with T-Mobile's wireless service.
Near-total coverage is what both companies are after, even to the most remote areas that traditional cellular networks cannot reach due to terrain challenges, land-use restrictions… or sheer distance.
Currently, over 500,000 square miles of the US, along with large ocean areas, lack cell service from any provider. This collaboration seeks to change that by using Starlink satellites to connect directly to mobile phones without requiring new equipment.
As T-Mobile clarifies, customers' existing devices should work with the new network, ensuring connectivity in places like mountain ranges, deserts, national parks, and rural dead zones.
The service will initially support text messaging, including SMS, MMS (and some compatible messaging apps), and that's what the beta testing phase is focused on. Eventually, T-Mobile and SpaceX aim to expand to voice and data coverage, offering a full satellite-to-cellular experience, but I wouldn't bet any amount of money on this happening in 2025.
It's worth mentioning that beyond the US, T-Mobile is inviting global carriers to join the initiative, aiming to create a worldwide network without dead zones. Now that's ambitious.
Starlink is a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX, one of Elon Musk's most important companies. Starlink is designed to provide high-speed internet access, especially in remote and rural areas where traditional internet options are limited or unavailable.
Instead of relying on underground cables or cell towers, Starlink uses a network of small satellites that orbit the Earth at low altitudes. These satellites receive signals from ground stations and relay them to user terminals, which are small satellite dishes that connect to a Wi-Fi router. This allows users to access the internet from almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky.
One of Starlink's main advantages is low latency, meaning there is little delay in data transmission. This is because its satellites orbit much closer to Earth than traditional satellite internet providers, resulting in faster speeds and better performance for activities like video calls and online gaming.
The service is available in different T-Mobile plans, including options for homes, businesses, and even vehicles. Users must purchase a Starlink kit, which includes a dish and router, and pay a monthly subscription fee. While weather conditions like heavy rain or snow can temporarily affect performance, the system is designed to function in various climates.
Of course, the T-Mobile Starlink service project won't require you to bring along a dish and router:
The vast majority of smartphones already on T-Mobile’s network will be compatible with the new service using the device’s existing radio. No extra equipment to buy.
– T-Mobile Newsroom, August 2022
As far as speed goes, Starlink offers speeds of 50 to 250 Mbps, while 5G can reach 1 Gbps or more, depending on coverage.
5G is usually faster and more stable in urban areas with good infrastructure. Starlink, using satellites instead of towers, is better for rural or remote locations with limited 5G access.
Where 5G is strong, it’s the better option. Where it’s weak or unavailable, Starlink is a good alternative.
It remains to be seen how fast a phone would connect and send texts on the T-Mobile Starlink satellite service, but don't expect anything too crazy. At least not in the beginning.
Which phones support it
It should be noted that not every smartphone out there can take advantage of the T-Mobile Starlink service right now.
For now, these are the handset that support the service (don't forget they need their software version to be up to date):
Apple iPhone 14 and later (including Plus, Pro, Pro Max models and the new iPhone16e)
Google Pixel 9 (including Pro, Pro Fold and Pro XL models)
Motorola 2024 and later (including Razr, Razr+, Edge and G series)
Samsung Galaxy A14, A15, A16, A35, A53, A54
Samsung Galaxy S21 and later (including Plus, Ultra and FE models)
Samsung Galaxy X Cover 6 Pro
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and later
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and later
REVVL 7 (including Pro)
If you've got the Pixel 8, you're out of luck (for the moment), as this Reddit topic indicates.
Besides a satellite optimized phone, you'll need it to be carrier-unlocked. To see if your phone is unlocked, one can navigate to Settings > General > About on iPhone and then scroll to Carrier Lock. If you see "No SIM restrictions", that means your phone is unlocked.
For Samsung Galaxy devices, you should go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Operators. If there are multiple carriers available, your phone is likely unlocked.
Motorola owners should go to Settings > About phone > Network unlock. If the status is showing "Unlocked", you're good to go.
Pixel users can download the Device Unlock app from the Play Store. With it, they can check eligibility and if the status says "Unlocked", your phone is also given a green light.
"If your phone is locked, you will need to contact your current carrier and ask them to unlock it", T-Mobile's support page states.
Benefits of T-Mobile's satellite connectivity
Image credit – T-Mobile
T-Mobile's Starlink mobile service aims to bring satellite-based connectivity to areas where traditional cell towers cannot reach. That's quite the achievement.
By using satellites instead of ground-based infrastructure, the service eliminates dead zones, allowing customers to stay connected even in remote locations. And, as we've pointed out above, one of Starlink's main advantages is low latency.
Low latency is crucial for mobile connectivity because it determines how quickly data travels between a device and the network. Latency is the time delay between sending a request and receiving a response. The lower the latency, the faster and more responsive the connection feels.
For activities like web browsing or sending messages, high latency may not be too noticeable. However, for video calls, online gaming, and real-time applications, low latency is essential to prevent lag and interruptions. This is what makes smooth streaming, fast-loading web pages, and instant app responses possible.
You know what's best about the T-Mobile Starlink project? It's that, unlike conventional satellite phones, this service is promised to work with most existing T-Mobile smartphones, requiring no additional hardware. Initially, it will support messaging, with plans to expand to voice and data in the future.
Enhanced coverage in remote and rural areas
Image credit – T-Mobile
Many people in rural and isolated regions struggle with poor or no cellular service. Many of us, city folks, strive for the great outdoors; we are desperate to go to a place with no notifications and e-mails. But for people living in isolated regions, it's no fun.
The Starlink phone service for T-Mobile's customers may very well bridge this gap, offering coverage in mountains, deserts, national parks, and ocean areas. Whether for work, travel, or daily communication, users in these locations will no longer be cut off from the network. This is especially useful for those living in sparsely populated areas where traditional carriers fail to provide reliable service.
Emergency connectivity during crises
The Starlink Direct-to-Cell service is absolutely crucial in times of emergency and during natural disasters, as recent tragedies in the US proved. When there are infrastructure failures, cell towers can be damaged, leaving people without communication. T-Mobile's satellite service could literally save lives by letting users send messages and request help, even when ground networks are down.
This technology provides an extra layer of safety in emergencies, helping first responders and those in need stay connected when it matters most.
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Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
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