T-Mobile has opened registration for a beta program for T-Mobile Starlink, a direct-to-cell satellite service that will help eliminate dead zones by providing coverage for the 500,000 square miles of land in the United States not covered by earth-bound cell towers. 

T-Mobile and Starlink are preparing to beta test the new service that promises to make dead zones. By integrating satellites – basically cell towers in space - into the T-Mobile network, the Un-carrier is taking a major step forward in delivering its vision Experience Coverage Beyond vision. All T-Mobile customers - including businesses and first responders - can register for access to the beta launch.

Eliminating dead zones with cell towers in space – aka direct-to-cell satellites – is becoming a reality and hit a new milestone today. T-Mobile opened registration for a beta program coming early next year as Un-carrier partner and satellite technology trailblazer, Starlink, continues to launch direct-to-cell satellites into orbit at a rapid pace.

“T-Mobile Starlink is the first major low-earth orbit constellation in the world paired with terrestrial cellular spectrum, making the phone in your pocket work in areas of the U.S. that have never, and probably never will, have ground based coverage,” said Mike Katz, President of Marketing, Strategy and Products, T-Mobile. “It’s a truly groundbreaking engineering breakthrough and means that we are one step closer to helping T-Mobile customers have confidence that, no matter where they are, if they can see the sky, they will be covered by T-Mobile.”

The T-Mobile Starlink beta program is open and free for all T-Mobile postpaid voice customers with a compatible device. The beta gives a historic sneak peek to a not-so-distant future mostly free of cellular dead zones. Initially, T-Mobile Starlink will support texting with voice and data coming in the future. Because of the critical role these first responder agencies and individuals play in safeguarding our communities, T-Mobile is prioritizing this audience for the beta program.

With Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite constellation specifically designed for integration with the T-Mobile terrestrial network, the experience is expected to be much more user friendly than other satellite messaging services currently in market. For example, users will not need to hold their phone up to search for a signal. Both inbound and outbound messages are sent and received just like any other message.

The coming beta test marks the next big step for T-Mobile Experience Coverage Beyond, the Un-carrier’s vision to deliver the best service practically everywhere in the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico and territorial waters, even outside the signal of T-Mobile’s terrestrial cellular network.

Click here to learn more about T-Mobile's Starlink Satellite Phone Services