- T-Mobile has opened an American public beta for Starlink satellite connectivity
- You do not need to be a T-Mobile customer to register
- The service is free to try until July
T-Mobile has just announced that you can now access Starlink connectivity for free from its iPhone or Android device. The function has just entered public beta and can be used by anyone who has a compatible device (see below for a complete list), even if it is a customer with a different mobile operator.
Once you have registered, your phone can automatically connect to the Starlink satellite network. This allows you to send and receive text messages and SMS messages when Wi-Fi and cell service are not available. T-Mobile says that the support for voice calls and mobile data will arrive at a later date.
The service is free for now with limited places available, and approved testers will get access until July. After that, any T-Mobile customer in the Next Go5G plan (or other eligible plan) will continue to receive Starlink connectivity for free. Other T-Mobile customers will pay $ 15 per month, while any other person with a different carrier will pay $ 20 per month.
And in a welcome bonus, T-Mobile says that any of its customers who register for the beta version before the end of February will get a discount of $ 10 per month from July.
See stars
Apple users already have free access to satellite connectivity, although this is provided by Globalstar, not Starlink. Apple initially limited this to contact emergency services, but now it can be used to send text messages from Imessages and SMS to anyone when you do not have Wi-Fi or cell service. Unlike Starlink, Apple users must point out their device in the sky to connect to a satellite.
Apple says that any user of the T-Mobile Starlink offer will see the “SAT” letters in the status bar of your device when they are connected to a satellite. If you want to use your device with Starlink, Apple says you will need a phone from the iPhone 14, iPhone 15 or iPhone 16, the latest version of iOS and service of a compatible operator (keep in mind that some operators may require a cellular plan specific compatible).
As for Android, T-Mobile says that his Starlink service will work with “most smartphones of the last four years.” A complete list of compatible devices is below. Then, the next time he goes out to the desert without a reliable mobile connection, he will have one more option at his disposal. You never know, I could end up saving the day.
These phones that are compatible with T-Mobile Starlink at the time of writing:
- Apple iPhone 14 and posterior (including plus, pro and pro max)
- Google Pixel 9 (including Pro, Pro Fold and Pro XL)
- Motorola 2024 and posterior (including Razr, Razr+, Edge and Gesta G)
- Samsung Galaxy A14, A15, A16, A35, A53, A54
- Samsung Galaxy S21 and posterior (including Plus, Ultra and Fan Edition)
- Samsung Galaxy X Cover6 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 and later
- Samsung Galaxy Z fold3 and later
- Revvl 7 (including Pro)
