iPhone Users Can Sign Up to Try Starlink Connectivity For Free Until July

[MacRumors]

T-Mobile today announced that its Starlink satellite feature is now available in public beta, meaning anyone in the U.S. with a compatible iPhone or Android smartphone can sign up to test the off-the-grid connectivity, even if they use another carrier like AT&T or Verizon. Starlink is a subsidiary of Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Approved beta testers can use the Starlink satellite connectivity for free until July, with limited spots available. Afterwards, T-Mobile customers with a Go5G Next plan or another eligible plan will continue to have access to the feature at no additional cost, while T-Mobile customers with other plans can add the service for $15 per month, per line. Anyone else using a different carrier will be able to access the service for $20 per month, per line.

T-Mobile customers who register for the beta before the end of February will be eligible for a discounted price of $10 per month starting in July.

In most outdoor areas of the U.S. where cellular service is unavailable, a compatible iPhone or Android smartphone enrolled in the T-Mobile Starlink beta will automatically connect to one of hundreds of Starlink satellites in space, allowing for iMessages and SMS messages to be sent and received when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.

T-Mobile says Starlink support for voice calls and mobile data is coming later.

In a support document, Apple says the iPhone will display "SAT" in the status bar when the device is using a carrier-provided satellite feature, such as T-Mobile Starlink. To turn off a carrier-provided satellite feature, open the Settings app, tap Cellular, tap on your carrier or phone number, and toggle off Satellite.

Here is what Apple says is required:

• iPhone 14, iPhone 15, or iPhone 16 (all models)
• The latest version of iOS
• A supported carrier
• Some carriers might require a supported cellular plan

If this sounds familiar, that is because Apple already offers satellite connectivity for free on all iPhone 14 models and newer, in partnership with Globalstar. iPhones can use both Apple's satellite features, and those provided by a carrier.

Apple's satellite connectivity was initially limited to communication with emergency services, but iOS 18 added the ability to send and receive iMessages and SMS messages to anyone via satellite. iPhone users can also update their location in the Find My app via satellite, and arrange roadside assistance via satellite. All of these features are available in the U.S., but availability varies in other countries. The features are free to use for now.

Starlink has a larger satellite constellation than Globalstar, and connectivity is established automatically.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: iPhone Users Can Sign Up to Try Starlink Connectivity For Free Until July

 

[hieranonymous]

Barf. Eff Nazis.

 

[icanhazmac]

Great feature for those that venture off the grid regularly.

 

[kjvmartin]

I can't see paying for this one yet, still free on my phone via Apple's own service.

 

[Morod]

Never! Not ever.

 

[tubular]

Does Elon give you a discount if you do a Nazi salute?

 

[PruneTracy]

I would be down in a heartbeat if it were another sat carrier… yes, I vote with my dollar. It’s the only reason I have a Chevy EV and not a Tesla. (And don’t regret the decision one bit)

 

[hieranonymous]

Does Elon give you a discount if you do a Nazi salute?

You actually have to hold your phone in a sustained nazi salute in order to establish the uplink with one of Elon’s satellites.

 

[fenderbass146]

Barf. Eff Nazis.

eyeroll....virtue signal more please.

 

[ILoveCalvinCool]

No mercy for fascists.

 

[Kar98]

Say no to Nazis.

 

[fenderbass146]

In before the virtue signaling. Oooops, too late.

View attachment 2480732

Great feature for those that venture off the grid regularly.

Agree'd, however I'm not quite sure how/why this is different then what it already has. I was in the UP of Michigan and used Satellite to text in the middle of know where and it was great.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Now, bring it to older models that are technically fully compatible! "We (you and I, based on my previous column) already knew, for example, that ANY iPhone can be made to work with Globalstar."

 

[Dan From Canada]

Whatever your politics... vote with your dollar.

 

[Robert.Walter]

I will avoid any musk linked products and services.

 

[BigJohno]

Does this actually give you internet on device without cell? Did I miss something in the article? How is this different from say starlink mini. Which I already own.

 

[goobot]

I can't see paying for this one yet, still free on my phone via Apple's own service.

Exactly, until they offer something more like phone calls or Apple starts charging I don’t think many will care unless the service is so much better

 

[palebluedot]

In before the virtue signaling. Oooops, too late.

View attachment 2480732

Great feature for those that venture off the grid regularly. Too bad there won't be much discussion that is on-topic.

Glad the greatest generation didn’t call fighting the Nazis in WW2 “virtue signaling”.

 

[Johnny907]

I would be down in a heartbeat if it were another sat carrier… yes, I vote with my dollar. It’s the only reason I have a Chevy EV and not a Tesla. (And don’t regret the decision one bit)

Kia makes a better EV and offers CarPlay… so not even a *little* bit of regret?

 

[Joshuaorange]

I can't see paying for this one yet, still free on my phone via Apple's own service.

Free but nowhere near as good or capable. You only get emergency service through Apple.

 

[Sedulous]

Does this actually give you internet on device without cell? Did I miss something in the article? How is this different from say starlink mini. Which I already own.

Yes, the service is direct to cell.

 

[Joshuaorange]

Kia makes a better EV and offers CarPlay… so not even a *little* bit of regret?

Sorry but Tesla is far better than both. Politics aside.

 

[Johnny907]

Glad the greatest generation didn’t call fighting the Nazis in WW2 “virtue signaling”.

Anyone that actually helped clean out those camps would have some strong words to say to someone labeling another a Nazi so casually and for something so insignificant.
I know this because my grandfather was one of those soldiers, and this very thing was a MASSIVE pet peeve of his.
And by “strong words,” I mean something I can’t describe in this forum without getting at least a warning, so in perpetuity and in his memory may I suggest not labeling something as evil until you’ve actually been surrounded by the sight and smell of true evil, not just a complete stranger you have an ideological difference with.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

eyeroll....virtue signal more please.

Not liking Nazis isn't mere virtue signaling

 

[SoldOnApple]

When I was a naive kid I assumed all internet and mobile phones worked over satellite, because in the movies they show internet data being sent up to a satellite in space. So it's kind of interesting that now it's actually possible.