T-Mobile has announced that its satellite-to-phone connectivity service, powered by SpaceX’s Starlink, will be available to customers of rival carriers AT&T and Verizon starting in July. The service, which allows users to send SMS messages in areas without traditional cellular coverage, will cost $20 per month for non−T−Mobile subscribers. T−Mobile customers, however, will pay $15 per month, with the service included for free on the carrier’s premium Go5G Next plan.
The initiative marks a significant step in T-Mobile’s partnership with SpaceX, which aims to eliminate cellular dead zones using a network of over 400 Starlink satellites. The service, which began as a beta program in December, is currently available to select T-Mobile users with newer iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel devices.
To access the service, AT&T and Verizon customers will need a compatible, unlocked smartphone that supports eSIM technology. T-Mobile will provide an online list of supported devices, which includes models like the iPhone 14 and later, as well as the Galaxy S21 and newer.
While the service currently supports only SMS messaging, SpaceX plans to expand it to include voice calls and data downloads in the future, pending regulatory approvals. T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert emphasized that the company is still in the early stages of development, cautioning against overhyping the experience during the beta phase.
The move to include AT&T and Verizon users is notable, as both carriers are pursuing their own satellite connectivity projects. AT&T is collaborating with AST SpaceMobile, while Verizon has partnered with Skylo. However, these ventures are not yet ready for mainstream consumers, giving T-Mobile a potential edge in the emerging satellite-to-phone market.
T-Mobile’s Starlink service operates under an FCC license granted in November, which allows SpaceX to use T-Mobile’s 1900MHz radio spectrum for satellite connectivity. Devices from Apple, Samsung, and Google have already received FCC certification, enabling them to access the service regardless of their primary carrier.
Early beta testers have reported mixed results, with some noting frequent signal drops despite the ability to send texts in remote areas. SpaceX is working to improve reliability by launching hundreds of additional satellites.
For now, the service is primarily aimed at users in areas with poor or no cellular coverage. While the $15 and $20 monthly fees may deter some, T-Mobile is offering an early adopter discount this month, reducing the cost to $10 per month for its own customers.
