Going off-grid would possibly quickly be a factor of the previous, as T-Cell’s partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite tv for pc web service will get able to launch on July 23. The direct-to-cell messaging service, known as T-Satellite tv for pc, may also be obtainable to AT&T and Verizon cellphone clients.
T-Cell says its aim is to “eradicate cellular useless zones for good” by means of 657 Starlink satellites that’ll be used completely for cellphone service. T-Satellite tv for pc has been in beta testing since December 2024, with almost 1.8 million customers signing up up to now.
The direct-to-cell messaging service represents a significant step ahead in cellular expertise: It really works with most telephones made over the last 4 years, based on T-Cell, as a substitute of requiring devoted {hardware}. It’s going to be obtainable to T-Cell, AT&T and Verizon clients for $10 a month — or free for anybody on T-Cell’s Expertise Past or Go5G Subsequent plans.
“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 any protection, however it’s very important to have the ability to connect with emergency companies,” Mike Katz, T-Cell president of promoting, technique and merchandise, informed CNET’s Jeff Carlson. “We simply assume that with a expertise like this, no buyer ought to ever be in a scenario 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 tv for pc earlier this week in communities affected by huge flooding in Central Texas. T-Cell clients within the space are in a position to make use of text-to-911 and fundamental textual content messaging, they usually can obtain emergency alerts on suitable units.
Sooner or later, T-Satellite tv for pc will probably be free for emergency makes use of throughout the nation. The corporate mentioned 911 texting will probably be obtainable later this 12 months to “any cellular 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-Cell and Starlink that may permit direct-to-cell SMS messaging accessibility in areas the place there isn’t any mobile protection. Starlink has greater than 7,000 low-Earth orbit satellites within the sky, and now, 657 of them will probably be devoted solely to T-Satellite tv for pc. The aim is to develop protection into the five hundred,000 sq. miles of the US that conventional cell towers can’t attain, says T-Cell.
“While you depart the terrestrial community and also you go to a spot the place there is not any community, your cellphone will mechanically seek for and connect with the satellite tv for pc community, which is sort of completely different than another of the satellite tv for pc methods which are on the market that drive you to manually join, and it’s important to level your cellphone as much as the sky,” says Katz.
Satellite tv for pc connectivity in cellphones isn’t precisely new — iPhones have had it since 2022 — however it’s usually been reserved for SOS messaging to attach you with an emergency dispatcher. On July 23, T-Satellite tv for pc customers will be capable of ship SMS texts on iPhone and Android. Android customers may also get MMS instantly, with iPhone assist “to comply with.”
This implies customers will be capable of ship photographs and audio clips along with normal textual content messages. In October, the service will develop to incorporate information assist 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 information by way of the slender quantities of bandwidth obtainable through satellite tv for pc.
That is far past what the opposite cellphone carriers have launched up to now within the satellite tv for pc realm — largely as a consequence of T-Cell’s partnership with Starlink. AT&T and Verizon have each partnered with AST SpaceMobile for satellite tv for pc messaging, and Verizon informed CNET’s Eli Blumenthal final 12 months that it’s nonetheless planning on working with Amazon’s Challenge Kuiper, which launched its first 27 satellites on April 28, 2025.
“Regardless of issues that our opponents have mentioned, they’re method, method behind on this expertise,” says Katz.
How a lot will T-Satellite tv for pc value?
On July 23, T-Satellite tv for pc will probably be obtainable to AT&T, T-Cell and Verizon clients for a standalone $10 monthly. However there’s one exception: Clients on T-Cell’s Expertise Past plan ($100 monthly 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 monthly) will get it by way of the tip of the 12 months.
Even when you don’t pay the $10 a month, T-Cell says 911 texting will probably be obtainable later this 12 months “to any cellular buyer with a suitable gadget, no matter service.”
In the event you’re a Verizon or AT&T buyer, you’ll need to activate T-Satellite tv for pc as a second eSIM in your cellphone to benefit from the service. You’ll find directions on establishing the eSIM right here.
Which telephones are supported?
Most telephones launched previously couple of years will work with T-Satellite tv for pc. Listed here are the units which are presently suitable with the beta model:
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 aren’t satellite-capable.
When T-Satellite tv for pc launches on July 23, the next units may also be suitable:
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 aren’t satellite-capable.
T-Cell
- T-Cell Revvl 7
- T-Cell Revvl 7 Professional
Find out how to attempt T-Cell’s Starlink service at the moment
In the event you’re anxious to attempt T-Cell’s Starlink satellite tv for pc messaging service and don’t wish to wait till July 23, you may nonetheless try and join the beta. I wouldn’t maintain out an excessive amount of hope, although — once I entered my data, I received a message again saying, “Resulting from excessive demand, we’re admitting beta testers on a rolling foundation. Maintain an eye fixed out for an replace within the coming weeks.”
