For testing purposes, T-Mobile US Inc. has made a beta version of billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet available for free in the US through July of this year. During the Super Bowl game, T-Mobile, one of the biggest telecom companies in the US, made the announcement.
The business said that as a consequence, more than 500,000 square miles of the United States—the area of two Texas—that were previously inaccessible by mobile towers will now have connections.
Currently, the only communications that can be sent are text messages. The carrier stated that other functions including voice calls, data, and photo messaging will be added later, although it did not say when.
"T-Mobile Starlink uses specially configured satellites with Direct-to-Cell capabilities orbiting the Earth 200+ miles up in space and traveling at over 17,000 miles per hour to deliver cell phone signals," stated T-Mobile in its press release.
As soon as the users' phones leave the range of terrestrial cell towers, they immediately connect to Starlink. It is not necessary to connect manually.
It is not restricted to a small number of devices or OS systems and is compatible with the majority of smartphones over the past four years.
Customers of competing telecom companies Verizon and AT&T will also be able to use it. They are not even required to change.
Additionally, T-Mobile will use Starlink to broadcast Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) to anybody with a compatible smartphone and within signal range across the country.
"Whether in remote areas like hiking trails or in areas impacted by severe weather or by natural disasters, more people now have access to the WEA broadcast when they need it most," the company stated.
Price of T-Mobile Starlink
The beta will be available until July. T-Mobile Starlink will then be free of charge with its Go5G Next plan (including Go5G Next 55+ variants).
Additionally, Go5G business Next, T-Priority plans for first responder agencies, and other chosen premium rate plans will offer business clients T-Mobile Starlink at no additional cost.
For $15 per line per month, T-Mobile users on any other plan can also add the service.
However, T-Mobile users who signed up for the test may take advantage of an Early Adopter Discount of $10/month per line, or 33% off the full pricing, through February.
However, when the service begins in July, it will cost $20 per line for each Verizon and AT&T user.
Who can register for the T-Mobile Starlink beta?
The beta is open to all carriers, including first responders and businesses. Before the system launches in July, the users will be continuously recruited to test it and offer input.
"The first and only space-based mobile network in the United States, T-Mobile Starlink, connects to your phone automatically, allowing you to stay connected even in areas without cellular service. "It's a huge technological accomplishment and a game-changer for EVERY wireless user," stated T-Mobile President and CEO Mike Sievert. "Although we're still in the early stages, we're formally putting 'no bars' on notice. I don't want to overstress the experience during a beta test. Dead zones, the Un-carrier is running out of time for you.
With the statement that "So far, KDDI (Japan), Telstra (Australia), Optus (Australia), One NZ (New Zealand), salt (Switzerland), Entel (Chile & Peru), Rogers (Canada), and Kyivstar (Ukraine) are among the providers that have signed on" to introduce satellite-to-mobile technology, Starlink and T-Mobile also invited other carriers from around the world to collaborate.
The business said that as a consequence, more than 500,000 square miles of the United States—the area of two Texas—that were previously inaccessible by mobile towers will now have connections.
Currently, the only communications that can be sent are text messages. The carrier stated that other functions including voice calls, data, and photo messaging will be added later, although it did not say when.
"T-Mobile Starlink uses specially configured satellites with Direct-to-Cell capabilities orbiting the Earth 200+ miles up in space and traveling at over 17,000 miles per hour to deliver cell phone signals," stated T-Mobile in its press release.
As soon as the users' phones leave the range of terrestrial cell towers, they immediately connect to Starlink. It is not necessary to connect manually.
It is not restricted to a small number of devices or OS systems and is compatible with the majority of smartphones over the past four years.
Customers of competing telecom companies Verizon and AT&T will also be able to use it. They are not even required to change.
Additionally, T-Mobile will use Starlink to broadcast Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) to anybody with a compatible smartphone and within signal range across the country.
"Whether in remote areas like hiking trails or in areas impacted by severe weather or by natural disasters, more people now have access to the WEA broadcast when they need it most," the company stated.
Price of T-Mobile Starlink
The beta will be available until July. T-Mobile Starlink will then be free of charge with its Go5G Next plan (including Go5G Next 55+ variants).
Additionally, Go5G business Next, T-Priority plans for first responder agencies, and other chosen premium rate plans will offer business clients T-Mobile Starlink at no additional cost.
For $15 per line per month, T-Mobile users on any other plan can also add the service.
However, T-Mobile users who signed up for the test may take advantage of an Early Adopter Discount of $10/month per line, or 33% off the full pricing, through February.
However, when the service begins in July, it will cost $20 per line for each Verizon and AT&T user.
Who can register for the T-Mobile Starlink beta?
The beta is open to all carriers, including first responders and businesses. Before the system launches in July, the users will be continuously recruited to test it and offer input.
"The first and only space-based mobile network in the United States, T-Mobile Starlink, connects to your phone automatically, allowing you to stay connected even in areas without cellular service. "It's a huge technological accomplishment and a game-changer for EVERY wireless user," stated T-Mobile President and CEO Mike Sievert. "Although we're still in the early stages, we're formally putting 'no bars' on notice. I don't want to overstress the experience during a beta test. Dead zones, the Un-carrier is running out of time for you.
With the statement that "So far, KDDI (Japan), Telstra (Australia), Optus (Australia), One NZ (New Zealand), salt (Switzerland), Entel (Chile & Peru), Rogers (Canada), and Kyivstar (Ukraine) are among the providers that have signed on" to introduce satellite-to-mobile technology, Starlink and T-Mobile also invited other carriers from around the world to collaborate.
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