Among the notable Super Bowl television commercials for its telecom implications, if not for its creativity, was the T-Mobile spot announcing satellite service on their phones, through Starlink.
The service, now in beta, uses a combination of satellite and mobile technology to help keep people connected in the more than 500,000 square miles of the country unreached by any carrier’s earth-bound cell towers. The beta service is available to everyone until July — not just T-Mobile customers. The technology works on most smartphones from the last four years.
Beginning in July, T-Mobile Starlink will be included at no extra cost on T-Mobile’s Go5G Next plan (including variations like Go5G Next 55+). Business customers will also get T-Mobile Starlink at no extra cost on Go5G Business Next, first responder agencies on T-Priority plans and other select premium rate plans. T-Mobile customers on any other plan can add the service for $15/month per line.
Through February, T-Mobile customers who have registered for the beta can secure a $10/month per line Early Adopter Discount, 33% off the full price.
The technology uses specially configured satellites with Direct-to-Cell capabilities orbiting the more than 200 miles above the Earth to deliver cell phone signals — text messages for now with picture messages, data, and voice calls coming later — to and from locations traditional cell towers can’t reach.
When a user’s cell phone gets out of range of a cell tower, the phone automatically connects to the T-Mobile Starlink network without the need to manually connect. Messages are sent and received just as they are on a traditional network.
The initial beta had been announced a little more than a week earlier. With the advent of the Super Bowl ad, more phones are now able to take advantage of the service.
“T-Mobile Starlink is the first and only space-based mobile network in the US that automatically connects to your phone so you can be connected even where no cellular network reaches,” said Mike Sievert, T-Mobile president and CEO, in the company’s announcement. “It’s a massive technical achievement and an absolute game changer for all wireless users.”
