T-Mobile has officially launched wide-scale testing of its satellite-to-cell service in collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink, aiming to eliminate mobile dead zones and enhance connectivity in remote areas. The beta trial, announced during the Super Bowl on Sunday, will be free until July, after which it will be included in T-Mobile’s premium Go5G Next plan at no extra cost. Other customers can add the service for $15 monthly once it becomes commercially available this summer.
According to Reuters, T-Mobile estimates that approximately 500,000 square miles of the U.S. will benefit from the service, ensuring continuous connectivity for users in remote locations.
This initiative marks a significant leap in mobile connectivity, integrating satellite technology with traditional networks to provide seamless coverage, even in regions unreachable by terrestrial cell towers.
The beta phase will initially support text messaging via satellite, with voice and data capabilities set to follow in subsequent updates. Customers who enrol in the trial will receive a 33% discount when the service officially launches.
“This is something that nobody else in the U.S. has done,” said Mike Katz, T-Mobile’s president of marketing, strategy, and products. “One of the big distinctive things this network has is that it works across almost all smartphones from the last four years.”
The company has been working closely with Apple and Google to integrate satellite connectivity directly into their operating systems, making it the default satellite service for compatible devices.
Furthermore, T-Mobile is extending access to the Starlink-powered service to all wireless users, including those on rival networks such as AT&T and Verizon, without requiring them to switch carriers.
Last month, Vodafone completed the world’s first video call via satellite using a standard smartphone. The call was made by Vodafone engineer Rowan Chesner to Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone’s CEO. For this, Vodafone is leveraging the capabilities of AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBitd satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
In the News: DeepSeek iOS app sends unencrypted data to ByteDance servers
