T-Mobile’s Starlink Satellite Texting Service Launches Beta

T-Mobile’s Starlink satellite texting feature is now available in beta for anyone with a compatible iPhone or Android device to try out, the company announced in a Super Bowl ad. The service will provide mobile 4G or 5G coverage in areas not covered by regular cell phone towers, and users can sign up for it even if they’re on another carrier like Verizon or AT&T.

Free Trial Period

The service will be available for free until July to approved beta testers, though limited spots are available. After that, customers of T-Mobile’s high-end offerings like the $180 Go5G Next plan will receive the feature at no cost. Other T-Mobile customers can add the service for $15 per month, or $10 per month if they sign up before the end of February. Users of other carriers will be charged $20 per month starting in July (T-Mobile didn’t explain exactly how that would work).

Collaboration with SpaceX

In August last year, T-Mobile and Elon Musk’s SpaceX announced a collaboration that would allow the carrier’s subscribers to connect to Starlink’s second-gen satellites for coverage in remote locations. The service works with standard mobile phones, but only recent, compatible models including the Apple iPhone 14 series and later, all Google Pixel 9 models, the Samsung Galaxy S21 and later, Galaxy Flip3 and Fold3 or later, and the Pro Fold, are listed as compatible. The first text messages using satellites were sent and received in January 2024, and the FCC had given them permission to enable satellite texting in certain locations, including hurricane-hit areas, so people could stay connected.

Limitations and Availability

If you have a compatible device and are enrolled in the T-Mobile Starlink beta, you should be able to connect to a satellite and send someone a simple text message. Starlink support for voice calls and data is coming later, T-Mobile said. Due to limited spots, it is best to apply soon.