German Telecommunications company, T-Mobile has made an significant collaboration with Elon Musk’s Starlink to launch a smartphone-to-satellite service positioned to be a “game-changer” in the space. In a recent advertisement displayed at the Super Bowl, the company promised new subscribers of the T-Mobile Starlink beta — a free trial till July. The promo was inclusive of Non T-Mobile customers too.
According to the T-Mobile’s president of marketing, strategy and products, Mike Katz — the new service is open to anyone with a newer smartphone, at least one that was produced in the last four years. In a Washington Post Interview, Mike Said “pretty much any smartphone made in the last four years,” including android devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 and IOS devices like the iPhone 14.
According to the company, the new feature is eligible to any of these users for text messaging and is active once they have a clear view of the sky.
The service is open for free to everyone that signs up for the T-Mobile Starlink beta but It won’t for long as the public slots are capped.
Why The T-Mobile Starlink beta is a “game changer”
The T-Mobile Starlink Beta service has been tagged as a “game changer” because unlike most other internet services alike — with the T-Mobile Starlink beta, the user doesn’t need to position the device towards the satellite to be connected.
The will be totally free for every T-Mobile customer on the Go5G Next plan. The free package will last until July while other T-Mobile subscribers will have to remit a $15 extra each month.
A $5 discount is currently ongoing for customers who begin this month. Other carrier customers aren’t left out either, they can also enjoy the service via eSIM for $20 a month.
It is worth noting that the latest iPhone operating system, iOS 18.3 is yet to add starlink to mobile after barely adding SAT as opposed to 5G and LTE. The recent connection between Apple and Starlink is unusual and it comes from the pre-existing relationship with Starlink
The service is still evolving as it is only for text messaging and video messaging feature yet to be added.
Apple iOS 18.3 SpaceX Satellite Connection: Your iPhone Isn’t Suddenly A Satellite Phone
While T-mobile may have a partnership with SpaceX, the notion that there is a deal between Apple and Elon Musk’s SpaceX is untrue.
There are hundreds of TikTok videos warning iphone users against updating to iOS 18.3, claiming it would put ‘Starlink right in their pocket.’ This is false as there is no deal between Apple and SpaceX.
The deal is between T-mobile and SpaceX and thus such satellite connection to Starlink would only work on users on the T-mobile network.
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