T-Mobile Direct To Cell Service
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    17 years
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I will be adding T-Mobile as a second line of service on my phone.
https://www.t-mobile.com/business/industry-solutions/connect...
It’s a different kind of satellite service.
Starting with text messaging in 2024, T-Mobile for Business will enable smartphones on its network to reach into orbit and directly send messages via Starlink’s low-earth-orbit satellites. And, because the service operates in the 1900 MHz band, existing phones will be able to make the connection.
A model of a vehicle, satellite, ground station, T-Mobile core, cell tower, and automotive facility—all linked.
The new service, which has already tested text messaging, promises to extend cell service to remote locations that—until now—have not been covered by any network. Due to rugged terrain, land-use restrictions, wildlife reserves, and other issues, there are more than a half-million square miles of land not covered by terrestrial networks in the U.S. Now satellite-to-cellular service will be able to reach cars, trucks, trains, and even ships in those areas.
Text, starting 2024; Voice & Data, starting 2025; and IoT, starting 2025.
With a clear view of the sky, customers will be able to send texts from space. Starlink has already begun launching new satellites to support the Direct-to-Cell service, which eventually will also support voice, data, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices, anywhere, any time.
It’s possible thanks to low-latency, low-orbit satellites cruising just 340 miles above the earth, versus geosynchronous satellites that have communications delays because they are typically more than 22,000 miles above the planet.
“Today is another step forward in keeping our customers connected even in the most remote locations for added peace of mind when they need it most.”
Mike Katz
President of Marketing, Strategy and Products, T-Mobile
Planet Earth surrounded by low-earth and geosynchronous satellites.
Finally, wireless will reach everyone.
We offer America’s largest 5G network, but until now existing gaps across the vast expanse within U.S. deserts, mountain ranges, and other hard-to-reach areas still often lacked cellular service. With satellite communications complementing our coverage, those gaps will disappear, with coverage supporting everything from backcountry adventures to remote work.
Satellite-to-cellular connectivity promises a wide range of consumer and business uses in wilderness, off-the-grid, and other remote locations. In the automotive industry, that includes passenger vehicles on highways that lack cellular coverage, heavy trucks hauling goods across the country, guided tours in national parks, and family RV vacations.
Tech that keeps you connected: working off-grid, but staying online.
Field service.
Last year, 1 in 5 employees in the U.S. worked remotely, making connectivity critical, no matter how far employees are from the office.1
Technicians who manage and maintain wind and solar farms, often located in remote areas, can use the service to communicate from their vehicles on the road.
A technician walks toward a pick-up truck in a field with windmills and electrical transmission towers.
Emergency response.
Over 100,000 search and rescue operations take place in the U.S. each year.2
Drivers can still reach out for assistance from remote locations—and first responders can keep in touch with dispatchers and call for additional support.
An ambulance drives in the mountains along a curvy road lined by evergreen trees and scrub.
Recreation.
More than 15 million people went camping for the first time in the last two years.3
Whether overland exploring national wilderness or reaching secluded campsites and trailheads, drivers of all-terrain vehicles can navigate and communicate during their expeditions.
A 4x4 vehicle with a pop-up camper on top is parked in view of a lake and a mountain.
Operating across the globe?
Planned international coverage through roaming agreements.
Through roaming agreements with other wireless providers, together with SpaceX we envision universal coverage across the U.S. and some of the most difficult terrain in the world.
World map pointing at Canada, Japan, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
In the future.
The T-Mobile for Business partnership with SpaceX eliminates virtually all of the latency problems that plague other satellite services. Starlink has already demonstrated how this works with high-speed internet access and plans to do the same with satellites around the moon and someday Mars. So when you finally hitch a ride to outer space, T-Mobile for Business may already be there to keep you connected.
first shell complete
Quite recently Starlink advised that they had launched the last satellite required to complete the first shell to support the direct to cell phone service.
Activation still requires some regulatory gates to be satisfied.
Physics gets in the way of this ever being a fully capable service just like talking to your nearby tower. The initial capability is expected to be text messages only and will be more likely to work the cell phone has a clear view of the sky. Still, that is way better than nothing.
In this first release, the direct to cell satellites are a completely separate set from the regular Starlink service satellites. Maybe larger satellites that will be launched on the new large booster now in development will be able to support both services.
personal GPS user since 1992
T-Mobile Direct To Cell Service
...The initial capability is expected to be text messages only and will be more likely to work the cell phone has a clear view of the sky. Still, that is way better than nothing...
No doubt about it. The line I am looking at is $10 per month for 30GB of data. That will be a great supplement to my AT&T line of service.
Definitely
A step in the right direction to be sure.
I have my doubts about the low earth orbit Starlink satellites ability to reach deep valleys though. If the text feature is anything like Starlink internet service, it is extremely limited by obstructions.
Even so, it will certainly be an improvement for us rural folk. In some areas where I travel, I have to stand on one foot on the roof of my car and face Mecca to get a signal. It's particularly tough if I leave my tin foil hat at home.
Time will tell and I hope it works out, but for now, I'll keep my Garmin Inreach service. It uses the iridium satellite network with true global coverage.
Experience Coverage Beyond W/ T-Mo Starlink Satellite Service
I signed up for this yesterday.
https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/satellite-phone-service?fb...
T-Mobile Begins Cellular Starlink Beta, But It Only Works on The
Now I wish I had a Samsung S24.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/t-mobile-begins-cellular-starlink...
T-Mobile Begins Cellular Starlink Beta, But It Only Works on These Samsung Phones
For now, T-Mobile restricts the beta for SpaceX's direct-to-cell Starlink system to Samsung S24 phones and two Galaxy foldable models.
Michael Kan
By Michael Kan
January 14, 2025
https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php...rlink-beta-but-it-only...
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?ur... Works on These Samsung Phones&hashtags=PCMag
http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=ht...ta, But It Only Works on These Samsung Phones
https://www.howardforums.com/javascript:void(0)
Starlink logo on phone(Photo illustration by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It looks like T-Mobile is now accepting customers into the free beta program for SpaceX’s cellular Starlink service—but only if you have the latest Samsung handsets.
On Tuesday, a number of T-Mobile subscribers reported receiving access to T-Mobile's "direct-to-cell" Starlink beta program, which the company announced last month.
T-Mobile has been notifying eligible customers through text messages, according to social media posts. One included a screenshot showing a T-Mobile account subscribed to the satellite network.
The technology lets you send text messages without relying on traditional ground-based cell towers. Instead, the phone relays the text messages using orbiting Starlink satellites, giving consumers a way to remain connected in cellular dead zones, similar to Apple’s Emergency SOS satellite messaging for iPhones.
When we asked about the beta launch, T-Mobile said: "We continue to make great progress toward a full beta test availability; more details to come soon."
In the meantime, the carrier also published a new support document that reveals the cellular Starlink system only works on five Samsung models for now: the Galaxy Z Flip 6 5G, Galaxy Z Fold 6 5G, Galaxy S24 5G, Galaxy S24 Plus 5G, and Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G.
“Text messages may take longer than normal to be sent while connected to the T-Mobile Starlink satellite network,” the support document says. “Picture and video messaging is not included during the beta phase.”
Eligible phones will only switch to satellite connectivity if customers are in an area without traditional cell or roaming services. “Manually selecting the T-Mobile Starlink network will not work while other cellular connection options are available,” the document adds. “When connected to T-Mobile Starlink, your device will display T-Mobile SpaceX at the top-left side of your screen.”
SpaceX recently secured approval from the FCC to operate the cellular Starlink technology commercially. T-Mobile has not announced pricing, but SpaceX plans to eventually support data and voice calls via the cellular Starlink service.
T-Mobile has also activated the cellular Starlink tech for customers living in areas of Los Angeles devastated by the recent wildfires. The same satellites will also beam emergency alerts to all phones in the affected areas, regardless of carrier.
T-Mobile Begins Cellular Starlink Beta, But It Only Works on The
Now I wish I had a Samsung S24.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/t-mobile-begins-cellular-starlink...
T-Mobile Begins Cellular Starlink Beta, But It Only Works on These Samsung Phones
For now, T-Mobile restricts the beta for SpaceX's direct-to-cell Starlink system to Samsung S24 phones and two Galaxy foldable models.
Michael Kan
By Michael Kan
January 14, 2025
https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php...rlink-beta-but-it-only...
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?ur... Works on These Samsung Phones&hashtags=PCMag
http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=ht...ta, But It Only Works on These Samsung Phones
https://www.howardforums.com/javascript:void(0)
Starlink logo on phone(Photo illustration by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It looks like T-Mobile is now accepting customers into the free beta program for SpaceX’s cellular Starlink service—but only if you have the latest Samsung handsets.
On Tuesday, a number of T-Mobile subscribers reported receiving access to T-Mobile's "direct-to-cell" Starlink beta program, which the company announced last month.
T-Mobile has been notifying eligible customers through text messages, according to social media posts. One included a screenshot showing a T-Mobile account subscribed to the satellite network.
The technology lets you send text messages without relying on traditional ground-based cell towers. Instead, the phone relays the text messages using orbiting Starlink satellites, giving consumers a way to remain connected in cellular dead zones, similar to Apple’s Emergency SOS satellite messaging for iPhones.
When we asked about the beta launch, T-Mobile said: "We continue to make great progress toward a full beta test availability; more details to come soon."
In the meantime, the carrier also published a new support document that reveals the cellular Starlink system only works on five Samsung models for now: the Galaxy Z Flip 6 5G, Galaxy Z Fold 6 5G, Galaxy S24 5G, Galaxy S24 Plus 5G, and Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G.
“Text messages may take longer than normal to be sent while connected to the T-Mobile Starlink satellite network,” the support document says. “Picture and video messaging is not included during the beta phase.”
Eligible phones will only switch to satellite connectivity if customers are in an area without traditional cell or roaming services. “Manually selecting the T-Mobile Starlink network will not work while other cellular connection options are available,” the document adds. “When connected to T-Mobile Starlink, your device will display T-Mobile SpaceX at the top-left side of your screen.”
SpaceX recently secured approval from the FCC to operate the cellular Starlink technology commercially. T-Mobile has not announced pricing, but SpaceX plans to eventually support data and voice calls via the cellular Starlink service.
T-Mobile has also activated the cellular Starlink tech for customers living in areas of Los Angeles devastated by the recent wildfires. The same satellites will also beam emergency alerts to all phones in the affected areas, regardless of carrier.
Verizon Satellite Text Service.
I just traded our old iPhone X phones for the 16 Pro models which are compatible with Verizon's satellite text service.
If you try and send a text in an area with no WiFi or cell service, a banner pops up asking if you want to use satellite. I haven't tested it yet but it seems simple enough and there is no extra monthly charge.
When I get a chance, I'll compare Verizon's service with Garmin's InReach plan. If the coverage is similar, I may be able to cancel the Garmin plan and save a few $$.
The difference I see is, Verizon (and others as well) use low earth orbit satellites. Garmin uses the Iridium network which has fewer satellites but they are higher orbit with a greater coverage area and are less susceptible to topographic interference.
It will be interesting to see how the two services compare.
T-Mobile Direct To Cell Service
Thank you for the reply and I agree that it will be interesting to see how the two services compare. I suspect that devices on the Iridium network will perform better.
What I also think will be interesting is what effect, if any, this will have on legacy satellite services. I suspect that some existing satellite customers will not move. They like what they have.
On the other hand, some weekend warriors, might jump ship, if the reports on it are good.
I like to think that it might make legacy services more price competitive, but who knows?