Imagine being able to send a text, video or voice recording from the remotest corners of the country. That’s the future T-Mobile envisions, as its partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service gets ready to launch on July 23. The alliance will provide direct-to-cell messaging service, called T-Satellite, which will also be available to AT&T and Verizon cellphone customers.

T-Mobile says its goal is to “eliminate mobile dead zones for good” by utilizing 657 Starlink satellites that will be used exclusively for cellphone service. T-Satellite has been in beta testing since December 2024, with nearly 1.8 million users signing up so far.

The direct-to-cell messaging service represents a major step forward in mobile technology: It works with most phones made during the last four years, according to T-Mobile, instead of requiring dedicated hardware. It will be available to T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon customers for $10 a month — or free for anyone on T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans. 

“At the end of the day, it’s nice to be able to send a selfie when you’re in a place where there is no coverage, but it’s vital to be able to connect to emergency services,” Mike Katz, T-Mobile president of marketing, strategy and products, told CNET’s Jeff Carlson. “We just think that with a technology like this, no customer should ever be in a situation where they are unconnected in an emergency.”

However, you might still benefit even if you don’t sign up, as T-Mobile will make the service free for emergency uses. The company said 911 texting will be available later this year to “any mobile customer with a compatible device, regardless of carrier or whether or not they are subscribed to the service.” 

What is T-Satellite?

T-Satellite is a partnership between T-Mobile and Starlink that will allow direct-to-cell SMS messaging accessibility in areas where there is no cellular coverage. Starlink has more than 7,000 low-Earth orbit satellites in the sky, and now, 657 of them will be devoted entirely to T-Satellite. The goal is to expand coverage into the 500,000 square miles of the US that traditional cell towers can’t reach, says T-Mobile.

“When you leave the terrestrial network and you go to a place where there’s no network, your phone will automatically search for and connect to the satellite network, which is quite different than any other of the satellite systems that are out there that force you to manually connect, and you have to point your phone up to the sky,» says Katz.

Satellite connectivity in cellphones isn’t exactly new — iPhones have had it since 2022 — but it’s typically been reserved for SOS messaging to connect you with an emergency dispatcher. On July 23, T-Satellite users will be able to send SMS texts on iPhone and Android. Android users will also get MMS immediately, with iPhone support “to follow.” 

This means users will be able to send images and audio clips in addition to standard text messages. In October, the service will expand to include data support in third-party apps like AccuWeather, AllTrails, WhatsApp and X. The access takes advantage of hooks built into iOS and Android software, so developers can make their apps capable of sending data through the narrow amounts of bandwidth available via satellite.

This is far beyond what the other phone carriers have launched so far in the satellite realm — largely due to T-Mobile’s partnership with Starlink. AT&T and Verizon have both partnered with AST SpaceMobile for satellite messaging, and Verizon told CNET’s Eli Blumenthal last year that it’s still planning on working with Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which launched its first 27 satellites on April 28, 2025

“Despite things that our competitors have said, they are way, way behind on this technology,” says Katz. 

How much will T-Satellite cost?

On July 23, T-Satellite will be available to AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon customers for a standalone $10 per month. But there’s one exception: Customers on T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan ($100 per month for one line) or the Go5G Next plan will get the service for included in the cost of the plan going forward, and those on the Experience More plan ($85 per month) will get it through the end of the year. 

Even if you don’t pay the $10 a month, T-Mobile says 911 texting will be available later this year “to any mobile customer with a compatible device, regardless of carrier.”

If you’re a Verizon or AT&T customer, you’ll have to activate T-Satellite as a second eSIM on your phone to take advantage of the service. You can find instructions on setting up the eSIM here. 

Which phones are supported?

Most phones released in the past couple of years will work with T-Satellite. Here are the devices that are currently compatible with the beta version:

Apple

• iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 (all models)

Google

• Google Pixel 9
• Google Pixel 9A
• Google Pixel 9 Pro
• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Motorola

• Moto G Stylus 2025
• Moto Razr 2024 
• Moto Razr Plus 2024 
• Moto Razr 2025
• Moto Razr Plus 2025
• Moto Razr Ultra 2025
• Moto Razr Ultra Plus 2025

Samsung

• Samsung Galaxy A25 5G SE*
• Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A36
• Samsung Galaxy A36 SE
• Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A54 5G*
• Samsung Galaxy S21
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
• Samsung Galaxy S22
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S22 FE
• Samsung Galaxy S23
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
• Samsung Galaxy S24
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
• Samsung Galaxy S25
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
• Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
  *Some non-T-Mobile device variants are not satellite-capable.

When T-Satellite launches on July 23, the following devices will also be compatible: 

Motorola

• Motorola Edge 2024
• Moto G 2024
• Moto G Stylus 2024
• Moto G 5G 2024
• Moto G Stylus 5G 2024

Samsung

• Samsung Galaxy A14
• Samsung Galaxy A15*
• Samsung Galaxy A16
• Samsung Galaxy A35
• Samsung Galaxy A53*
• Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
  *Some non-T-Mobile device variants are not satellite-capable.

T-Mobile

• T-Mobile Revvl 7
• T-Mobile Revvl 7 Pro

How to try T-Mobile’s Starlink service today

If you’re anxious to try T-Mobile’s Starlink satellite messaging service and don’t want to wait until July 23, you can still attempt to sign up for the beta. I wouldn’t hold out too much hope, though — when I entered my information, I got a message back saying, “Due to high demand, we’re admitting beta testers on a rolling basis. Keep an eye out for an update in the coming weeks.”

The Fourth of July holiday will bring explosive light shows on Friday night, but many folks will see much quieter and calmer lights in the sky tonight, as recent solar activity will continue to bring the Aurora Borealis to several US states.

Wednesday night marks the winding down of a Kp 4 magnetic storm that the Space Weather Prediction Center reported starting late Monday evening. The K-Index measures the horizontal impact of geomagnetic storms, and a Kp4 or Kp 5 rating results in what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calls a «moderate» aurora. 

As Wednesday night turns into Thursday morning, the aurora will pull back a little and become less visible, unless you’re on the northern border with Canada.

Which states could see the aurora borealis tonight?

According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, Wednesday night’s aurora will be visible in Alaska, Washington state, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. The northernmost sections of New York, Vermont and New Hampshire might get lucky as well. 

Alaska and Canada will have the best views by a wide margin, with virtually the entire state of Alaska getting coverage.

Much like with the Earth’s weather, space weather prediction can be hit or miss. So if you’re in any of the above states, it’s worth taking a look if you’re up that late. The magnetic storm may be slightly stronger or weaker than forecast, which will affect how far south the northern lights reach. This event won’t be as strong as the epic show we saw in May 2024.

Tips on viewing the northern lights

The standard space viewing tips all apply here. You’ll get a better view if you get away from the city and suburbs to avoid light pollution. Weather will play a role as well, since any clouds will obfuscate the view. If you attempt to photograph the aurora, we recommend using long exposure times to give your camera more time to soak in the light. 

Other than that, you’ll want to look toward the northern horizon to give yourself the best chance at a good view, since (as you may’ve guessed) that’s where the northern lights originate.