IPhone Users In The US Can Try Free Starlink Connection Until July

Starlink satellite connectivity is now available in public beta in the US. (photo: dock. forbes)

JAKARTA T-Mobile announced that the Starlink satellite connectivity feature is now available in the public beta version in the US. With this, iPhone and Android users from various operators, including AT&T and Verizon, can sign up to try out-of-network communications services for free until July.

Approved users as beta testers can use Starlink connections at no cost until the middle of the year. After the trial period ends, T-Mobile subscribers with Go5G Next packages or other eligible packages can still enjoy this feature at no additional cost. Meanwhile, T-Mobile subscribers with other packages can add this service for 15 US dollars per month per line. For other operator users, subscription fees will be charged US$20 per month per lane.

In addition, T-Mobile customers who register before the end of February will get a discount price of 10 US dollars per month starting next July.

In an open area in the US that does not have a compatible cellular signal, iPhone or Android phone listed on the beta T-Mobile Starlink program will automatically connect to hundreds of Starlink satellites in orbit. This allows users to send and receive iMessage messages and SMS without the need for a cellular connection or Wi-Fi.

For now, the Starlink service only supports text messages, but T-Mobile states that support for voice calls and mobile data will be coming soon.

Apple explains that iPhones that use a satellite connection from the operator will display the "SAT" icon in the status bar. Users who want to disable this feature can open Settings > Cellular > Select Operator or Phone Number > Turn off the Satellite option.

In order to be able to use a satellite connection from T-Mobile Starlink, iPhone users must meet the following requirements: iPhone 14, iPhone 15, or iPhone 16 (all models) The latest iOS version of the operator supporting this service Some operators may require certain cellular packages

Apple itself has offered free satellite connectivity to all models of the iPhone 14 and above through partnerships with Globalstar. Initially, this feature was limited to emergency communications, but since iOS 18, users can send and receive iMessage messages and SMS via satellite, update locations in the Find My app, and request road emergency assistance.

Starlink, which is owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has a much larger number of satellites than Globalstar. Thus, the connection can be established automatically without the need to direct the iPhone to the sky like on the Globalstar service.

The move demonstrates T-Mobile's efforts to expand its service reach through satellite technology, allowing communication to remain connected even in remote areas without mobile networks.