T-Mobile Wants Some Of Its Customers To Pay For Satellite Texting

Last year in December, T-Mobile announced that it was accepting applications for users to test the Starlink beta. Previously, SpaceX’s CEO, Elon Musk, confirmed that the beta would be live on January 27. In short, the Starlink cellular beta is now underway. Although T-Mobile currently allows its customers to use satellite texting for free, it seems some customers will have to pay down the line.

Yesterday, folks over at PCMag reported some details about T-Mobile’s plans for the satellite service going forward. During an earnings call, T-Mobile’s president and CEO shared that the company will introduce the satellite service as a paid subscription. It’s worth noting that the smartphone carrier is not planning to charge all of its customers.

The CEO says that customers on expensive T-Mobile plans won’t have to pay a penny to use the service. However, those subscribed to low-tier plans will have to spend extra to add the service as a paid add-on. Not to mention, switching to an expensive plan would automatically get them to use the feature for free.

T-Mobile customers using last year’s Galaxy S24 series and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 already have this option available on their devices. In fact, Apple has also added the satellite texting feature with the release of iOS 18.3 for select iPhone users.

Support for voice, data, and video calls will also be coming down the line

Not to forget, T-Mobile is the first US telecom company to offer satellite messaging. But it won’t be the last, as Verizon and AT&T are also working actively to bring a feature to their customers. T-Mobile, on the other hand, is hoping that many customers are looking forward to it, given that the service would keep them communicating even in cellular dead zones. Currently, the Starlink-powered satellite service only supports texting. T-Mobile says that support for video calls, voice, and data will also arrive in the future.