T-Mobile’s “T-Satellite With Starlink” Messaging Service Launching July 23rd, Limited Satellite Data Support Coming In October

At a live streamed event yesterday to celebrate being crowned the “Best Mobile Network” by Ookla (the SpeedTest.net company) - T-Mobile shared an update on its cellular network, including a major update on the T-Satellite service that is currently in public beta.

T-Mobile and SpaceX announced the partnership that now powers T-Satellite in 2022 to "eliminate dead zones" by piggybacking a cellular payload onto a subset of Starlink satellites. The goal is to beam down a 4G signal that would be compatible with regular, everyday cellular phones without needing special hardware.

The initial announcement was overly optimistic about schedules (typical for SpaceX), forecasting beta service availability in late 2023.

But better late than never - the service has been in beta since late last year, and yesterday T-Mobile announced it would become commercially available starting July 23rd.

And T-Mobile for the first time revealed details on how it plans to take service beyond just basic text messaging, enabling more general data connections starting October 1st.

Here are a few more details…

T-Satellite Video

 

T-Satellite Capabilities

The initial T-Satellite service is focused on SMS text messaging - but T-Mobile has now revealed it is also enabling MMS messaging as well, which will support low-res images and short audio clips.

Initially satellite MMS will only be supported on Android phones - though T-Mobile says iOS support will follow. Apple fans should be aware that MMS is “green bubble” messaging, and native iMessages will not likely be supported at first.

But regardless - sending photos from the middle of nowhere is a pretty major leap ahead of the sort of messaging currently available on other satellite direct to cell providers.

The bigger competitive distinction T-Mobile is bragging about is that their satellite service “just works” automatically whenever you are outdoors and outside of cellular coverage, without needing to “play a video game” waving your arms overhead to get a satellite connection the way that Apple and Google’s current satellite messaging services work.

Messaging Now, Data In October

Things will get much more interesting starting on October 1st when T-Mobile will begin to allow apps that have been customized for low bandwidth satellite usage to have more capable data connections.

T-Mobile has already announced apps from AccuWeather, AllTrails, Apple, Google, WhatsApp and X, are in the works. This likely means support for Apple and Google Maps, and native iMessages.

But data connections will not just be limited to T-Mobile partners - any apps that are written to use Apple and Google API’s to limit their data usage will be able to get a “2G Style” connection for limited connectivity when outside of terrestrial cellular coverage.

In time - T-Mobile hopes to have the capacity to add support for voice calls, and eventually a “3G Style” connection.

True broadband speeds from space directly to a phone do not appear to be on the horizon.

T-Satellite Compatibility & Cost

T-Mobile says that 75% of the phones on its network will be supported - almost all phones made and sold in the past four years.

Most phones on other carrier networks will work too - and for people who do not want to switch to T-Mobile entirely, they can activate a T-Satellite eSIM as a secondary line on their phone for coverage when outside of their primary carrier’s area.

T-Satellite will be included at no extra cost with T-Mobile's flagship “Experience Beyond” plan.

“For everyone else — including AT&T and Verizon customers — the service will be available for just $10 per month.”

This is a very reasonable cost for basic connectivity when traveling off grid, and it is a very clever way for T-Mobile to entice customers into trying its network and contemplating switching.

911 - For Everyone

One other surprise bit of news - T-Mobile has announced that everyone, even non-subscribers, will get 911 texting service later this year.

“At launch the service includes 911 texting via satellite. Later this year, T-Satellite will provide 911 texting service to any mobile customer with a compatible device, regardless of carrier or whether or not they are subscribed to the service. Because everyone deserves peace of mind when they’re off the grid.”

This move is certain to save lives, and will likely indirectly win T-Mobile customers as well.

Other Satellite Updates: Kuiper Moves Forward, Starship Explodes Again

There are two other recent satellite internet updates to share as well - some good news, and some bad news.

First the good news - Amazon’s second batch of 27 Project Kuiper satellites launched successfully on June 23rd, and there are reports that a third batch is already preparing for launch in Florida on a SpaceX Falcon rocket next month. If Amazon can continue to ramp up the pace of Kuiper launches, it may indeed be able to begin offering Kuiper satellite internet service late this year or early next year.

For more on the potential for Project Kuiper, see our recent major satellite industry update article.

Meanwhile - SpaceX’s next generation of Starlink is facing another unexpected hurdle.

As we reported on last month - on May 27th SpaceX’s Starship had its third major failure in a row, once again failing to test the deployment mechanism necessary for the future Starlink V3 satellites.

SpaceX was rushing to bounce back from this failure with a repeat test flight attempt intended before the end of June. But last week on June 18th the Starship intended for the next test flight catastrophically blew up during ground testing, severely damaging SpaceX’s ground facilities in the process.

With ground infrastructure severely damaged and newly discovered Starship design flaws to work around - this will inevitably further delay the debut of the Starlink V3 satellites that are depending on Starship for a ride to orbit.

For more on Starlink V3 and why Starship is so vital to the future of Starlink, see our featured article:

SpaceX’s Starship Experiences Third Consecutive Failure – Implications For Starlink

Concluding Thoughts

This is an incredibly exciting year for satellite internet - and the options for keeping connected from orbit just keep getting better and better.

T-Satellite in particular is a legitimately major leap ahead in capabilities - directly to everyday cellular phones.

But the race is still in its early days - and there are many other players and pioneering technologies in the works.

It is certainly fun to watch it all evolve - and ultimately, benefit everyone.

For a deep dive into all the players, be sure to read our recent industry analysis:

2025 Satellite Mobile Internet Update: Starlink, Kuiper, Direct To Cellular, and More!

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