Technology
- Home
- Technology
- News
T-Mobile’s Starlink messaging service is now free to try, even if you aren’t on T-Mobile
T-Mobile’s Starlink-powered direct-to-cell satellite messaging service is now open for anyone in the US to try for free — including people who aren’t T-Mobile customers. The service will be limited to text messaging at first but the company hopes to have some…

Published 3 months ago on Feb 15th 2025, 7:00 pm
By Web Desk

T-Mobile’s Starlink-powered direct-to-cell satellite messaging service is now open for anyone in the US to try for free — including people who aren’t T-Mobile customers. The service will be limited to text messaging at first but the company hopes to have some apps and even limited multimedia support ready by the time it goes live this summer.
It will cost T-Mobile users $15 per month once the free testing period ends in July, or $10 for customers who participated in the beta trial. Verizon and AT&T customers can also try the service for free according to T-Mobile’s press release, and will pay $20 a month per line. T-Mobile customers paying for the carrier’s priciest Go5G Next plan (which starts at $105 per month) will have the Starlink feature baked in at no additional cost.
If you watched last night’s Super Bowl, then you might have been misled by T-Mobile’s ad. While it showcased satellite-supported voice and multimedia messaging capabilities, the public beta test only includes texting in dead zones for now. Support for picture messages, data, and voice calls is “coming later.”
Mike Katz, T-Mobile’s president of marketing, strategy, and products told The Washington Post that messages with photos or video clips will be added by the end of the beta period in July. Katz also expects the satellite service to work with apps that “don’t require super-fast data connections,” such as certain trail/mapping services and WhatsApp.
“We’ll be working with a bunch of app manufacturers to create features in their apps that can optimize to the available bandwidth of the satellite network,” Katz said.
Registrations for the free beta opened in December, after T-Mobile and Starlink tested direct-to-cell emergency alerts and texts in disaster zones last year. T-Mobile says it’s accepting users who register on a “rolling first-come, first-served basis,” but quietly discloses that there are “limited spots available” in the fine print. The Starlink-enabled service works on “most smartphones from the last four years” according to T-Mobile, which lists currently compatible devices from Apple, Google, Motorola, Samsung, and REVVL on its website.
SpaceX is partnering with carriers around the world for direct-to-cell Starlink services. In December it launched nationwide in New Zealand. AST SpaceMobile, which is partnering with Verizon and AT&T on their rival satellite-to-cell services, recently received regulatory approval to begin testing.

Hasina-era officials face crimes against humanity trial in Bangladesh
- 13 hours ago

Who wins the conference finals? Expert picks for Hurricanes-Panthers, Stars-Oilers
- 4 hours ago

Conn Smythe Watch: Who's leading for MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs?
- 4 hours ago

Hot, dry weather likely today
- an hour ago

Guardians' Lively to have Tommy John surgery
- 4 hours ago

Lahore Qalandars defeat Quetta Gladiators to win PSL for third time
- 2 hours ago

European country Malta announces to recognize Palestine
- an hour ago

Second group of Bangladesh also arrives in Lahore for T20 series against Pakistan
- an hour ago

“Baby Botox” and the psychology of cosmetic procedures
- 3 hours ago

Indy 500 rookie Shwartzman wins pole in shocker
- 4 hours ago

Sources: CFP moving to straight seeding model
- 4 hours ago

Unanimous choice Castle heads All-Rookie team
- 4 hours ago
You May Like
Trending