- T-Mobile’s Starlink-driven Satellite Service is just fully launched
- You can connect to satellites without needing apps or settings
- It is available for a monthly fee, even to non-mobile customers
T-Mobile has just launched its Starlink satellite service, called T-Satellite, after testing it for many months. It relates to remote areas that are not currently serving with any of the big mobile networks-but do you get from T-Mobile, and how is it compared to the free alternative offered by Apple?
With T-Satellite, T-Mobile says you get coverage provided by over 650 satellites orbiting the Earth. Your phone is automatically connected without apps for download or settings for changes. That said, you can get a small amount of downtime as your phone disconnects from one satellite and connects to another – after all, the satellites move in orbit, so you won’t always be connected to the same.
According to T-Mobile, the service works with over 60 mobile devices. It includes each iPhone from iPhone 13 onwards, Samsung Galaxy S21 and later, Google Pixel phones that go back to Google Pixel 9 and more.
Other supported devices include the latest Motorola Razr 2025 series and the latest Samsung Galaxy A56. You can read the full list of T-Mobile’s eligibility guidance. The latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 are listed as “coming soon”.
If you are on T-Mobile’s Go5G Next or Experience Beyond plans, you will get T-Satellite included for free. Other T-Mobile customers can access it for $ 10 a month per month. Line, although the company says the price will rise to $ 15 per Month after a “limited time.” Customers with other networks can also sign up for $ 10 a month (later $ 15 a month) by contacting T-Mobile.
How does Apple compare?
Apple has been offering its own satellite service for a couple of years now, so you might be wondering what its advantages and disadvantages are compared to T-satellite.
First, Apple’s offer is much wider than what you get with T-Mobile. With Apple you can send and receive messages, contact relief services, share your residence with Find Mine, organize roadside assistance for your vehicle and get weather reports. T-satellite, meanwhile, only supports sending and receiving text messages. It does not offer data or any of the other services that Apple supports.
In addition to that, Apple’s satellite functionality is completely free (at least at least), while T-Mobile’s requires a monthly subscription. On the other hand, you can only access Apple’s satellite service if you have an Apple device, while T-Mobile’s works with a number of iOS and Android products.
You need to consider what option suits you best based on your circumstances. But with T-Satellite coming out of its beta-testing period, you have another choice to keep in touch when you’re off the web.
