T-Mobile's Starlink-powered satellite network can text 911 from virtually anywhere

USA Today

4 days ago

Thinking about how your smartphone gets connected probably isn't high on the list of things you worry about. After all, for the most part, mobile phones are now pretty reliable across a lot of different locations.
But what if you could get connected — at least on a basic level — virtually anywhere? It turns out the technology to do just that is coming soon to nearly all newer model smartphones, courtesy of T-Mobile. First, though, some background on cellular network developments.
A few years back, the big excitement in the world of connectivity was 5G. In retrospect, the reality of that technology didn't live up to the hype of what some had promised. (Robotic surgery, anyone?) But the truth is, the enormous amount of effort and money invested to make 5G service as ubiquitous as it is now has made the experience of using our latest generation iPhones, Android phones and other devices significantly more speedy, satisfying and robust.
Updating wireless networks to support 5G and other future network technologies also entailed a shifting of the landscape within the telecommunications industry. While much of the work centers around the technical details of frequency spectrum availability and usage, network architecture, and other factors that don't matter to consumers, the practical outcome has been a different perspective on the reach and capabilities of different carriers.
In fact, based on recent speed and coverage tests, T-Mobile is now claiming they have the most reliable complete network (including 5G and 4G) in the country. While there will undoubtedly be debate on the specifics, there's no doubt that T-Mobile has dramatically raised its presence over the last few years in large part because of the work they've put into the 5G network.
Even more importantly, the behind-the-scenes network buildout for 5G also laid the groundwork for the next big step in wireless connectivity: satellite-based service. Back in February, T-Mobile announced the debut and beta testing launch of a service called T-Satellite that was being made available not only to T-Mobile customers, but even those currently using either AT&T or Verizon (see T-Mobile's new Starlink offering makes satellite phones mainstream for more, including a detailed explanation of how the service works). T-Satellite provides support for text and MMS messaging to start. It is included with T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan for free, and is $10/month for everyone else (including AT&T and Verizon customers).
Now, as part of the official commercial launch of that service — which kicks off on July 23 — T-Mobile announced a very important new benefit. Starting on October 1, any phone that qualifies for it (see a current list of qualifying phones here) can get access to the satellite service to send texts to 911, regardless of their carrier, at no charge. In other words, even if you're an AT&T or Verizon customer (as well as a T-Mobile one, of course) and you have an iPhone 13 or later, Samsung Galaxy A25 and S21 onward, the Z Flip and Z Fold 3 and forward, a Google Pixel 9, or the 2024 and 2025 versions of the Motorola razr, edge and moto g phones, you will have access to a new free safety net.
There is one important step that will be required to leverage the service, and that involves adding an eSIM account for the satellite service to your existing phone. Final details will apparently be released closer to the October 1 launch, but it basically entails going into your phone's cellular settings and adding a plan or network connection. What it's really doing is letting your phone know there's another network that it can connect to if you happen to be where the service is available. Again, there will be no charge for 911 access. Right now, unless you sign up for T-Mobile's service, you won't be able to enable this, but details will be forthcoming.
Like most U.S. carriers, T-Mobile's traditional cellular service generally only covers more populated areas. Geographically speaking, that translates to about 2/3 of the continental U.S., or 2.6 million of 3.1 million square miles. The new satellite-based options extend that reach to virtually the entire continental United States. For emergency purposes, this is an enormous deal, because it allows people to reach out for help from nearly anywhere. It's a fantastic example of technology having a huge positive impact, and there's absolutely no doubt that this service is going to save lives. Kudos to T-Mobile for making the service available.
In order for T-Satellite to work, you need to be able to see the sky (in other words, not buried in a forest of trees or inside a cave). Unlike some of the earlier satellite services, such as those from Apple, the connection is done virtually automatically and doesn't require waving your phone towards the sky. The T-Satellite service essentially works like roaming onto a different network when you are in an area (or another country) where your primary service provider doesn't have cellular service. When you get into an area outside of normal coverage, it automatically switches to the satellite service, then shows a T-Mobile/Starlink connection and logo at the top of your phone screen. Once a connection is established, you can send a text to 911 at no charge.
In addition to the free 911 service, T-Mobile also announced that on October 1, it will be adding some simple data-based services to paying customers of T-Satellite as well. To start, the company will offer support for AllTrails, Accuweather, WhatsApp and some still-to-be-named apps from Apple and Google. Support for video calls and other applications will be coming at a later date.
While the T-Satellite service may not get you everything you've come to expect from your smartphone, it is a big step in the right direction for people who want connections in even more places.
USA TODAY columnist Bob O'Donnell is the president and chief analyst ofTECHnalysis Research, a market research and consulting firm. You can follow him on Twitter@bobodtech.