- T-Mobile’s Starlink-powered satellite messaging service is now available for free public beta testing in the US, even for non-T-Mobile customers.
- Limited to text messaging for now, with voice calls, multimedia messaging, and app support expected by summer 2024.
- Post-beta pricing set at $15/month for T-Mobile users, with discounts for early testers and a $20/month rate for Verizon and AT&T customers.
T-Mobile has launched a public beta for its Starlink-powered direct-to-cell satellite messaging service, allowing users across the United States to test the technology for free. The service, which initially supports only text messaging, is now accessible even to non-T-Mobile customers. While the company aims to introduce multimedia messaging and app support by summer, current users will experience only basic texting capabilities in areas without traditional network coverage.
The pricing structure for the service will change after the free trial ends in July. T-Mobile customers will have to pay $15 per month, while those who participated in the beta will receive a discounted rate of $10. Verizon and AT&T users can also access the service during the free trial but will later be charged $20 per month. Subscribers to T-Mobile’s premium Go5G Next plan, which starts at $105 per month, will have Starlink messaging included at no extra cost.
A Super Bowl advertisement for T-Mobile highlighted the potential for satellite-supported voice and multimedia messaging, but these features are not yet available. The public beta currently focuses only on texting in areas with no cellular signal, while voice calls, picture messages, and data capabilities are expected to roll out in the coming months. The company anticipates that some low-bandwidth apps, including mapping and messaging services like WhatsApp, will also become compatible with the satellite network before the full launch.
T-Mobile and Starlink began testing direct-to-cell capabilities last year, particularly for emergency alerts and disaster response. Users interested in joining the beta program can register on T-Mobile’s website, though availability is limited and spots are allocated on a rolling first-come, first-served basis. The service is designed to work with most modern smartphones released within the last four years, with compatibility lists including devices from Apple, Google, Motorola, Samsung, and REVVL.
SpaceX, the operator of Starlink, is expanding its direct-to-cell services through partnerships with carriers worldwide. The service recently launched in New Zealand, and similar technology is being developed by AST SpaceMobile in collaboration with Verizon and AT&T. With multiple companies racing to enhance connectivity in remote areas, satellite-to-cell technology is poised to become a significant advancement in global telecommunications.
