Tag: Starlink

T-Mobile has launched a public beta for its Starlink satellite service, inviting everyone in the U.S. with a compatible iPhone or Android phone to join. This is great news even if you’re not with T-Mobile, as you can test this new way to stay connected without traditional cell service.

How to Get Involved:

• Free Beta Access: You can sign up to use Starlink for free until July, but there are only a few spots.

Pricing After July:

• T-Mobile’s Go5G Next plan users and those with other eligible plans will keep using it for free.
• If you have another T-Mobile plan, you can add Starlink for $15 a month, per phone line.
• Users on other carriers will pay $20 a month, per line.
• Early Bird Discount: Sign up before February ends, and you’ll get the service for just $10 per month starting in July.

Where It Works:

• In areas outside the usual cell service range in the U.S., your phone will link up with one of Starlink’s many satellites to send and receive texts when you’re off the grid.

Future Features:

• While it currently supports messaging, T-Mobile plans to add voice calls and internet data soon.

iPhone Users, Take Note:

• Your iPhone will show “SAT” when using this satellite service.
• To stop using it, go to Settings, find Cellular, select your carrier, and switch off Satellite.

What You Need:

• An iPhone 14, 15, or 16 model.
• The newest iOS update.
• A compatible carrier plan.

This isn’t the first time iPhones have used satellites; Apple already has a deal with Globalstar for emergency messaging. However, Starlink’s network is much bigger, offering smoother, automatic connections without aiming your phone.

Remember:

• Apple’s satellite features are currently free, but this might change.
• The service is available in the U.S., with varying availability elsewhere.

Starlink’s wide reach could change how we think about staying connected, making it an exciting time for smartphone users looking to stay in touch no matter where they are.

You might have heard on social media that Apple automatically added Elon Musk’s Starlink to all iPhones. That’s not true. Here’s the simple truth: The iPhone can connect to Starlink, but only under certain conditions. Right now, in the United States, only one carrier, T-Mobile, uses Starlink for additional coverage on the iPhone.

Apple hasn’t directly teamed up with Starlink. T-Mobile uses its own frequency (band 25) to make this possible, and the iPhone supports this band. There’s nothing unique in iOS 18.3 related to Starlink; it just supports T-Mobile’s latest network updates.

If you’re a T-Mobile customer and you don’t want to use Starlink, you can turn it off easily. Go to your iPhone’s Settings, then Cellular, find your carrier and switch off Satellite. Apple has also shared some info on how iPhones work with satellite services provided by carriers. This document explains how these services differ from Apple’s satellite network.

To use these carrier satellite services, you’ll need:

• An iPhone 14, 15, or 16
• The newest iOS update
• A compatible carrier
• Possibly, a specific plan from your carrier

When your iPhone uses these services, you’ll see “SAT” in the status bar. Remember, there might be extra charges or data limits, so check with your carrier for details.

Starlink can provide internet like other companies such as Spectrum or Xfinity, for homes, on the go, or even on boats and planes. But with T-Mobile, it’s currently limited to sending texts when you’re out of regular network range. This is in beta, and you need to sign up on T-Mobile’s site to use it.

In the future, T-Mobile might expand this to include more mobile data services through Starlink. But remember, Starlink isn’t a phone company; that’s why they work with T-Mobile. Don’t skip updating to iOS 18.3 just because of Starlink rumors. Updating keeps your iPhone safe and running smoothly with the latest features and fixes.