T‑Mobile Starlink Satellite Internet Is Now In Public Beta Testing

The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched single sporting events in the world.

However, it also hits the list of most-watched television broadcasts in the United States by average viewership. In fact, out of the top 30 most-watched telecasts, the Super Bowl commands 27 spots.

Aside from the obvious attraction of being the annual league championship game of the National Football League, the broadcast also draws viewers to its halftime shows, which sports live performances by some of the biggest celebrities, as well as advertising spots that see big companies shell out millions ($8 million on average in 2025) for 30-second spots.

This is where mobile telecommunication giant T-Mobile chose to introduce the next big thing in wireless technology and its latest move—T-Mobile Starlink—through a 60-second spot.

As per the spot—and a subsequent news release on its website—T-Mobile is bringing connectivity to areas that are unreachable by earth-based cell towers AKA mobile dead zones.

Developed in partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink, the service is now in public beta testing and is available to all its users for free, effectively turning every compatible smartphone into a satellite phone without the need for fancy equipment.

“If you can see the sky, you're connected,” is how the company describes the service. The service will be powered by the 451 satellites T-Mobile has launched with Starlink (so far).

The service will begin with text-only messaging through the phone’s native messaging app and will soon extend to include picture messaging, data services and voice calling.

Once the service is officially launched (expected to be July 2025), it will be provided at no extra cost on Go5G Next (including variations like Go5G Next 55+), including business customers on Go5G Business Next among others.

Alternatively, T-Mobile customers on other plans can add the service for $15/month per line, or through a $10/month per line Early Adopter Discount—or a 33% discount on the full price—only through February.

Ahead of this, T-Mobile will allow AT&T and Verizon customers to try out the service on their phones until July for free. Post the testing phase, it will be available for $20/month per line.

Essentially, anyone on any carrier can sign up for the beta, including businesses and first responders. However, users will be added on an ongoing basis to test and assess the system.

The low-orbit satellite connectivity service will span more than 500,000 square miles of the country (or as the company put it—nearly the size of two Texases).


“T-Mobile Starlink is the first and only space-based mobile network in the US that automatically connects to your phone so you can be connected even where no cellular network reaches,” said Mike Sievert, the President and CEO of T-Mobile. “It’s a massive technical achievement and an absolute game changer for ALL wireless users.”

“We’re still in the early days — I don’t want to overhype the experience during a beta test — but we’re officially putting ‘no bars’ on notice. Dead zones, your days are numbered at the Un-carrier.”

The move builds on the previously announced Just over a year ago SpaceX and T-Mobile launched the first set of direct-to-cell Starlink satellites.

Do you think T-Mobile's early space communications move announced over the Super Bowl’s halftime show will pay off and enable it to capture a leading position in the telecommunications sector?

Let us know in the comments below!