T-Mobile used one of the biggest events of the year, the Super Bowl, to announce that it is opening up its T-Mobile Starlink beta service to everyone in the US. No, seriously, everyone can sign up.
First off, what is T-Mobile Starlink? It’s a service created in partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink service (and it uses their satellites) to bring cell coverage to 500,000 square miles in the US that are currently not covered by any cell tower. You don’t need a phone with satellite connectivity, the phone you have right now will probably work just fine. And you don’t need to do anything to use Starlink either – if you are signed up for the beta, your phone will automatically connect to a satellite when you go outside of regular cell coverage.
Once connected to Starlink, you will be able to send and receive text messages – this includes group texts and reactions too. But only text messages for now, sending photos, voice calls and using data will be added to the service later on.
If you’re in the US, you can sign up for T-Mobile Starlink here (businesses and first responders can use this link instead). Once accepted, you will be able to use the service for free until July. And this isn’t just for T-Mobile customers – AT&T and Verizon customers can sign up for the beta and use it for free until July too!
Once the trial period ends, T-Mobile subscribers on a Go5G Next plan will continue to use Starlink for free (this includes business users on Go5G Business Next and first responder agencies on T-Priority plans). Other T-Mobile customers will be able to add the service to their current plan for $15/month – but if you sign up this month, you will get a promo price of $10/month. AT&T and Verizon customers will be able to continue to use T-Mobile Starlink even after the trial period ends at a slightly higher price of $20/month.
Beyond regular texts, T-Mobile Starlink will also broadcast Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to anyone on any carrier, if they are outside of regular cell coverage. These alerts can be vital for hikers if the weather takes an unexpected turn for the worse. T-Mobile has been prioritizing first responders and emergency situations – for example, it temporarily enabled the Starlink service to connect people after Hurricanes Helene and Milton and more recently during the Los Angeles wildfires.
“T-Mobile Starlink is the first and only space-based mobile network in the US that automatically connects to your phone so you can be connected even where no cellular network reaches. It’s a massive technical achievement and an absolute game changer for ALL wireless users. We’re still in the early days — I don’t want to overhype the experience during a beta test — but we’re officially putting ‘no bars’ on notice. Dead zones, your days are numbered at the Un-carrier,” said Mike Sievert, President and CEO, T-Mobile.
By the way, T-Mobile is obviously trying to poach AT&T and Verizon clients by letting them play with their new satellite system. However, AST SpaceMobile has partnered with AT&T and Verizon (among others) to offer an alternative satellite-to-phone service. Recently, AST and Vodafone demonstrated the first video call via satellite data on a regular 4G/5G phone. More satellite providers are gearing up for launch too, e.g. Amazon has Project Kuiper (you may have heard of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, which aims to compete with SpaceX).
