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The beta version of T-Mobile Starlink has officially opened for everyone, with the launch announced through a 60-second commercial during the Super Bowl.
The partnership aims to solve wireless’s pain point, mobile dead zones. It claims to be the “first and only space-based mobile network in the U.S. that automatically connects to your phone in areas no cellular network reaches.”
To achieve this, T-Mobile Starlink is utilizing satellites with Direct-to-Cell capabilities that are orbiting the Earth 200+ miles up in space and traveling at over 17,000 miles per hour to deliver cell phone signals to and from locations traditional cell towers can’t reach.
“If you can see the sky, you’re connected,” the network provider exclaims. It will also broadcast Wireless Emergency Alerts nationwide to anyone in the range of the signal and with a compatible device.
While the beta test has launched with a bang, the president and CEO of T-Mobile Mike Sievert said in a press release: “We’re still in the early days — I don’t want to overhype the experience during a beta test — but we’re officially putting ‘no bars’ on notice.
“Dead zones, your days are numbered at the Un-carrier.”
Only text messages will work throughout this test, with picture messages, data and voice calls to be “coming later.”
Here’s how to register for the public beta T-Mobile Starlink
To register for the beta T-Mobile Starlink program, those interested must sign up via an online form – available here.
Although the free beta will continue until T-Mobile Starlink launches properly in July of this year, the test is open on a rolling first-come, first-served basis so you must sign up quickly.
Once signed up, the company will provide regular updates and they’ve already started adding customers into the beta with more to be included over time. Once admitted and ready to use, a notification will be sent with all the details you need.
Not all phones will be compatible, but most smartphones from the last four years should work.
For now, it’s free for anyone on any carrier but that will change in July. It will then be included at no extra cost for those on the T-Mobile Go5G Next plan, with other customers able to add it to other plans.
Featured image: Via T-Mobile Starlink press release
