T-Cell’s T-Satellite tv for pc internet service, powered by SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, formally launched on Wednesday, July 23. The direct-to-cell messaging service that allows texting from anyplace is not restricted to T-Cell prospects — AT&T and Verizon cell prospects may also buy it for $10 a month.
T-Mobile says its objective is to “get rid of cell useless zones for good” by means of 657 Starlink satellites that’ll be used solely for cellphone service. T-Satellite tv for pc has been in beta testing since December 2024, with almost 1.8 million customers signing up thus far.
The new satellite texting service represents a serious step ahead in cell know-how: It really works with most telephones made over the past 4 years, in line with T-Cell, as a substitute of requiring devoted {hardware}. Whereas it is obtainable to all T-Cell, AT&T and Verizon prospects for $10 a month, anybody on T-Cell’s Expertise Past or Go5G Subsequent plans will get it at no cost.
“On the finish of the day, it is good to have the ability to ship a selfie if you’re in a spot the place there isn’t a protection, however it’s important to have the ability to connect with emergency companies,” Mike Katz, T-Cell president of selling, technique and merchandise, told CNET’s Jeff Carlson. “We simply suppose that with a know-how like this, no buyer ought to ever be in a state of affairs the place they’re unconnected in an emergency.”
Sadly, T-Cell has already had a motive to check out this emergency service, when it enabled T-Satellite earlier this week in communities affected by large flooding in Central Texas. T-Cell prospects within the space are ready to make use of text-to-911 and primary textual content messaging, they usually can obtain emergency alerts on suitable gadgets.
Sooner or later, T-Satellite tv for pc will probably be free for emergency makes use of throughout the nation. The corporate stated 911 texting will probably be obtainable later this yr to “any cell buyer with a suitable gadget, no matter service or whether or not or not they’re subscribed to the service.”
What’s T-Satellite tv for pc?
T-Satellite tv for pc is a partnership between T-Mobile and Starlink that can permit direct-to-cell SMS messaging accessibility in areas the place there isn’t a mobile protection. Starlink has more than 7,000 low-Earth orbit satellites within the sky, and now, 657 of them will probably be devoted completely to T-Satellite tv for pc. The objective is to broaden protection into the five hundred,000 sq. miles of the US that conventional cell towers cannot attain, says T-Cell.
“Once you depart the terrestrial community and also you go to a spot the place there isn’t any community, your telephone will robotically seek for and connect with the satellite tv for pc community, which is sort of totally different than some other of the satellite tv for pc methods which are on the market that pressure you to manually join, and it’s a must to level your telephone as much as the sky,” says Katz.
Satellite tv for pc connectivity in cellphones is not precisely new — iPhones have had it since 2022 — however it’s sometimes been reserved for SOS messaging to attach you with an emergency dispatcher. On July 23, T-Satellite tv for pc customers will be capable to ship SMS texts on iPhone and Android. Android customers may even get MMS instantly, with iPhone help “to observe.”
This implies customers will be capable to ship photos and audio clips along with normal textual content messages. In October, the service will broaden to incorporate knowledge help in third-party apps like AccuWeather, AllTrails, WhatsApp and X. The entry takes benefit of hooks constructed into iOS and Android software program, so builders could make their apps able to sending knowledge by means of the slim quantities of bandwidth obtainable through satellite tv for pc.
That is far past what the opposite telephone carriers have launched thus far within the satellite tv for pc realm — largely resulting from T-Cell’s partnership with Starlink. AT&T and Verizon have each partnered with AST SpaceMobile for satellite tv for pc messaging, and Verizon told CNET’s Eli Blumenthal final yr that it is nonetheless planning on working with Amazon’s Challenge Kuiper, which launched its first 27 satellites on April 28, 2025.
“Regardless of issues that our rivals have stated, they’re method, method behind on this know-how,” says Katz.
How a lot does T-Satellite tv for pc value?
T-Satellite tv for pc is obtainable to AT&T, T-Cell and Verizon prospects for a standalone $10 per 30 days. However there’s one exception: Prospects on T-Cell’s Expertise Past plan ($100 per 30 days for one line) or the Go5G Subsequent plan will get the service for included in the price of the plan going ahead, and people on the Expertise Extra plan ($85 per 30 days) will get it by means of the top of the yr.
Even in the event you do not pay the $10 a month, T-Cell says 911 texting will probably be obtainable later this yr “to any cell buyer with a suitable gadget, no matter service.”
If you happen to’re a Verizon or AT&T buyer, you will must activate T-Satellite tv for pc as a second eSIM in your telephone to benefit from the service. You’ll find instructions on setting up the eSIM here.
Which telephones help T-Satellite tv for pc?
Most telephones launched prior to now couple of years will work with T-Satellite tv for pc. Listed below are the gadgets which are presently suitable:
Apple
- iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 (all fashions)
- Google Pixel 9
- Google Pixel 9A
- Google Pixel 9 Professional
- Google Pixel 9 Professional XL
- Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold
Motorola
- Moto G Stylus 2025
- Moto Razr 2024
- Moto Razr Plus 2024
- Moto Razr 2025
- Moto Razr Plus 2025
- Moto Razr Extremely 2025
- Moto Razr Extremely Plus 2025
Samsung
- Samsung Galaxy A25 5G SE*
- Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A36
- Samsung Galaxy A36 SE
- Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A54 5G*
- Samsung Galaxy S21
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Extremely
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- Samsung Galaxy S22
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely
- Samsung Galaxy S22 FE
- Samsung Galaxy S23
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely
- Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Samsung Galaxy S24
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
- Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
- Samsung Galaxy S25
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
- Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Professional
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
*Some non-T-Cell gadget variants usually are not satellite-capable.
Motorola
- Motorola Edge 2024
- Moto G 2024
- Moto G Stylus 2024
- Moto G 5G 2024
- Moto G Stylus 5G 2024
Samsung
- Samsung Galaxy A14
- Samsung Galaxy A15*
- Samsung Galaxy A16
- Samsung Galaxy A35
- Samsung Galaxy A53*
- Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Professional
*Some non-T-Cell gadget variants usually are not satellite-capable.
T-Cell
- T-Cell Revvl 7
- T-Cell Revvl 7 Professional
