When T‑Mobile CEO Mike Sievert took the stage on July 23, 2025, he didn’t just announce another incremental network upgrade. He declared war on “dead zones,” unveiling T‑Satellite, a satellite extension of T‑Mobile’s network powered by SpaceX’s Starlink. After months in beta, the service—once an invite‑only experiment—is now available to anyone in the United States, from California’s high deserts to Puerto Rico’s beaches, and even parts of southern Alaska.

T‑Mobile and Starlink first teased a direct‑to‑cell satellite partnership back in late 2022. By December 2024, the “Direct‑to‑Cell” trial had enlisted over 1.8 million sign‑ups—many of them from rival carriers—and proved its mettle during natural disasters, keeping stranded users connected when towers fell silent. Now, the public rollout means standard smartphones can send texts and share locations as long as they have a clear view of the sky (sorry, dense forests and steel‑lined urban canyons).

At launch, T‑Satellite supports:

• SMS and MMS texting, including emergency 911 texts
• Location sharing, via a temporary link
• Picture messaging on “most” Android phones
• Short audio clips for select devices

Voice messaging, richer media, and data services are coming. On October 1, T‑Mobile plans to unlock satellite data connections—think basic app use for things like AllTrails or AccuWeather—before ultimately opening the door to things like WhatsApp calls and streaming.

For a limited time, standalone T‑Satellite costs $10 per month, before rising to $15 per month. But if you’re already on one of T‑Mobile’s premium plans, you’re covered:

• Experience Beyond ($100/mo) – included at no extra cost
• Legacy Go5G Next plans – likewise included

Even non‑T‑Mobile customers (AT&T, Verizon) can subscribe for $10/mo by calling T‑Mobile or visiting a retail store.

Unlike traditional satellite phones, T‑Satellite works on ordinary unlocked phones that support eSIMs and satellite connectivity. Over 60 devices are on the list, including:

• iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 series (iOS 18.3+)
• Google Pixel 9
• Samsung Galaxy S21, S22, S23, S24, and S25

…and more. You can view the full roster on T‑Mobile’s website, but the takeaway is clear: if your phone is fairly recent, it probably works.

How it compares: Apple, Google, Verizon, AT&T

• Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite is free on iPhone 14+ but limited to emergency texts and Find My location—no MMS or app data yet. Apple has hinted at a future paid tier, but details are scarce.
• Google’s Pixel 9 offers two years free of its satellite SOS, then likely moves to a paid model; it covers emergency texting only.
• Verizon teamed up with Skylo for a free satellite messaging service, but it’s restricted to Verizon customers on the very latest devices like the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9.
• AT&T is partnering with AST SpaceMobile to launch its own satellite messaging and voice service later this year.

T‑Mobile’s edge? Broad device support, cross‑carrier availability, and a roadmap toward full satellite data—features its rivals haven’t matched, at least not yet.