Matías S. Zavia
WriterDuring this year’s Super Bowl, SpaceX and T-Mobile announced that Starlink’s direct-to-cell connectivity is now available in the U.S. as part of a test phase. Surprisingly, the service will be free until July, even for customers of other carriers. After that, it’ll transition to a paid service accessible from any modern smartphone equipped with an eSIM.
How T-Mobile Starlink works. SpaceX has launched more than 7,000 Starlink satellites. 450 of them are designed specifically for direct-to-cell connectivity. In addition to providing broadband Internet, these satellites operate as cell towers in space. When a T-Mobile Starlink user has no service on their phone, the device connects directly to the satellites overhead, which communicate with each other to relay messages to a ground station.
The service is currently limited to sending text messages, but future updates are expected to enable voice calls and data services. SpaceX has already demonstrated the feasibility of video calls using Starlink’s direct-to-cell connectivity. However, more satellites in orbit will be needed before these more complex services can be offered on a wide scale.
Supported devices. Unlike Starlink’s broadband service, the connection to satellites is direct and doesn’t require satellite dishes. Any modern smartphone compatible with LTE Band 25 should be able to connect to Starlink’s direct-to-cell service. T-Mobile has provided a few examples of compatible devices. They include iPhone 14 or newer, recent models from Google, Motorola, and Samsung, and T-Mobile’s REVVL line.
In addition to T-Mobile customers, users of Verizon, AT&T, and other carriers can also sign up for the service using an unlocked device that supports eSIM. Future plans include international coverage through partnerships with carriers in other countries.
Pricing. An interesting highlight from the Super Bowl ad is that T-Mobile Starlink will be free until July for all users, regardless of their carrier. Interested individuals can sign up for marketing offers by filling out a form with their name, email address, and phone number.
Sign-ups are managed on a first-come, first-served basis, resulting in high demand. However, starting in July, when the beta phase concludes, T-Mobile customers will need to pay a fee. Specifically, it’ll cost $15 per month to maintain service in areas without coverage, or $10 per month if they take advantage of the introductory offer. Customers with other carriers will face higher costs, paying $20 per month without any discounts.
Coming to other countries soon. The service will soon be available in other countries, starting with New Zealand through the operator OneNZ. It’ll also expand to Australia, Ukraine, Canada, Switzerland, Chile, Peru, and Japan.
Starlink is already a profitable business, and the direct-to-cell service will further enhance SpaceX’s advantage over its competitors. No other company has the competitive edge of reusing its rockets up to 25 times. By the time a competitor achieves this, SpaceX will have already begun launching satellites with Starship.
Image | T-Mobile
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