T-Mobile has announced it is looking for testers of its satellite-to-cellular service in the US, which is powered by SpaceX’s new Starlink satellites. Once launched in early 2025, select postpaid users can try satellite messaging on their devices for free before additional features like voice and data connectivity rollout. However, it remains unclear which smartphones are compatible with the service.
How to Test T-Mobile’s Starlink Satellite Service in the US
T-Mobile is inviting users on its postpaid voice service plans to sign up for beta testing on its website. The initial testing phase will focus on satellite messaging, with voice calls and internet data connectivity expected to follow later.
The carrier noted that testing slots are limited, with priority given to individuals in critical roles such as emergency responders, where satellite messaging could be most beneficial. There’s also no official list of which smartphones under T-Mobile’s plans are capable of the satellite service.
T-Mobile’s partnership with SpaceX was announced in 2022. Since then, SpaceX has launched Starlink satellites equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. Last month, the companies received FCC approval to move forward with the service.
What You Can Expect from T-Mobile’s Starlink Satellite Service
T-Mobile’s satellite service aims to provide connectivity in areas where terrestrial cell towers are unavailable, similar to the iPhone’s Emergency SOS satellite messaging feature. The carrier’s service is expected to cover up to 500,000 square miles across the US.
While the technology shows promise, Elon Musk previously revealed that the current T-Mobile Starlink service offers a shared data rate of just 7 Mbps across a wide coverage area. This makes it slower than some other direct-to-cell satellite services currently available.
However, a significant advantage of T-Mobile’s service is that it is expected to be free and will not require additional hardware for compatible smartphones. T-Mobile also confirmed that the satellite service will seamlessly integrate with its existing terrestrial network.
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