Key Points
- T-Mobile’s new satellite service, powered by Starlink, launches on July 23.
- The service will be available to customers of all carriers, not just T-Mobile.
- It’s designed to provide coverage in remote areas where traditional cellular service is unavailable.
- Texting will be available at launch, with data service and support for popular apps starting on October 1.
T-Mobile is officially launching its new satellite service, called T-Satellite, across the United States on July 23. In a significant move, the service will be available not only to T-Mobile customers but also to subscribers of rival carriers, including AT&T and Verizon.
Powered by SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, T-Satellite is designed to fill in the gaps where traditional cell service can’t reach. The company claims it can cover over 500,000 square miles of remote areas, including national parks and other remote regions.
At launch, the service will support texting on both Android and iOS devices. Android users will also be able to send picture messages and short audio clips right away, with that feature coming to iPhones later. Then, on October 1, T-Mobile will launch a data-based satellite service that will work with popular apps like WhatsApp, Google, and X (formerly Twitter).
The company has been testing the service for some time, even using it during emergencies, such as Hurricane Milton last year. A beta program for texting has been “incredibly successful,” with 1.8 million users sending over a million messages from remote areas.
The service will be free for customers on T-Mobile’s high-end “Experience Beyond” plan. For everyone else, the cost will be $10 per month. Later this year, T-Mobile will also enable free 911 texting for anyone, regardless of their carrier or subscription status.
