In collaboration with SpaceX, T-Mobile has launched the satellite-based service “T-Mobile Starlink”, which provides mobile coverage in remote regions of the USA. Following a public beta phase, the service will be offered from July for USD 15 per month, as the companies have now revealed.
Key features:
-
Satellite-based communication: Enables text messaging, telephony and future data transmission in areas without conventional mobile phone reception.
-
Compatibility: Works with most smartphones from the last four years, including mid-range and entry-level models.
-
Cost structure: After the free beta phase, the service costs 15 US dollars per month for T-Mobile customers and 20 US dollars for customers of other providers.
Extended mobile coverage through satellites
The service aims to improve cellular coverage in the US, particularly in rural and remote areas that currently have limited or no access to cellular networks. According to T-Mobile, more than 1.3 million square kilometers of the country are without cellular coverage. By using the Starlink low earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, users in these regions can send and receive text messages. Voice and data services will also be available in the future.
Simple integration and broad device support
An outstanding feature of T-Mobile Starlink is its seamless integration into existing devices. No special hardware is required; most smartphones released in the last four years are compatible. This includes high-end devices as well as more affordable models such as the Samsung Galaxy A series and various Motorola smartphones from 2024 onwards.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
Pricing and availability
During the public beta phase, which runs until July, the service is free for all users. After that, T-Mobile Starlink will cost $15 per month for T-Mobile customers. Customers of other wireless carriers, such as AT&T or Verizon, can use the service for $20 per month.
Participants in the beta phase have the option of receiving a permanent offer for 10 US dollars per month. The service remains free for customers on the premium “Go5G Next” plan and for first responders and emergency response organizations with appropriate contracts.
Future prospects
The partnership between T-Mobile and SpaceX marks a significant step in the telecommunications industry. The combination of terrestrial mobile networks with satellite-based technology could in future close dead spots worldwide and improve connectivity, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. Although the service is currently limited to the USA, similar models could follow in other countries to expand global mobile coverage.
T-Mobile Starlink is an innovative approach to overcoming the challenges of mobile coverage in remote regions. The use of existing smartphones without additional hardware and the planned expansion to voice and data services make the service a promising solution for the future of communication.
