T-Mobile sets Starlink satellite data service launch date for X or WhatsApp use on phones without carrier coverage

T-Mobile will begin its Starlink satellite voice and text messaging service on July 23, followed by Starlink Internet in October.

The so called T-Satellite option doesn't require any special equipment and is offered for 2021 or newer T-Mobile phone models like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, as well as on handsets from other carriers like Verizon or AT&T.

The T-Satellite with Starlink satellite-to-mobile service will bring texting and image messaging at first, as well as the ability to send short audio recordings from more than 500,000 square miles of territory that is currently without Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T cellular coverage.

Starting October 1, T-Mobile Starlink subscribers we'll be able to use optimized iOS and Android apps that even when there are no cell phone towers nearby, including popular chat and social networking apps like WhatsApp or X.

To ensure the best possible experience for customers on satellite, T-Mobile is working with a select group of the best, most widely used application providers in the categories most important to people traveling in parts unknown. We anticipate satellite enabled apps from AccuWeather, AllTrails, Apple, Google, WhatsApp and X, among many others in the future.

Starting on July 23, the T-Mobile Starlink data and messaging service out in the boondocks will cost $10/month, even for Verizon and AT&T subscribers. The Starlink satellite connectivity is currently in a beta trial phase for anyone to test without paying, clocking more than 1.8 million users already.

Starlink will continue to be free for those T-Mobile customers who are on the Experience Beyond unlimited 5G data plan, while T-Mobile is trying to bring it to phones older than four years as well.