T-Mobile and SpaceX team up to ‘end mobile dead zone’ by using Starlink satellites

SpaceX and T-Mobile announced that the companies will launch a new mobile service enabled by Starlink second-generation satellites and T-Mobile bandwidth and are working to “end mobile dead zones.”

Speaking at the SpaceX facility in Texas, T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said the company would be dedicating a “slice of its mid-band PCS spectrum” to be integrated into Starlink satellites launching next year. T-Mobile users can use MMS, messaging, and specific messaging apps from remote points across the lower 48 states, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, and even some remote points in the water.

Mr. Musk said the service would work with second-generation satellites of Starlink According to him these satellites have enormous antennae and will be able to transmit directly to a mobile or cell phone. The service won’t require mobile users to get a new phone. Musk was confident that the planned service should work even if all the cell towers were taken out after a natural disaster.

Sievert announced that the service would work with voice. T-Mobile plans to include the service in its most popular mobile plans but did not disclose specific pricing. Shares of T-Mobile closed up by a point at $147.07 and were trending slightly higher after hours.