- T-Mobile customers can now make WhatsApp voice and video calls, check weather forecasts, and use mapping apps via satellite in remote locations where traditional mobile signals cannot reach
- The service launched commercially with messaging in July and has already helped rescue a Girl Scout who fell into a canyon in the California wilderness
What happened
T-Mobile has expanded its T-Satellite service to include data connectivity for popular apps, moving beyond the text messaging and emergency services it launched two months ago. The carrier is working with dozens of app partners to provide “slimmed-down versions” optimised for satellite bandwidth, including WhatsApp, X, AccuWeather, AllTrails, and Google Maps.
The service enables WhatsApp users to make voice and video calls, send voice notes, and participate in group chats via satellite. Other apps provide core functionality suited to remote locations: AllTrails for navigation and location sharing, AccuWeather for hyper-local forecasts, and X for posting text, photos, and videos.
The network operates through more than 650 Starlink Direct to Cell satellites that act as cell towers in space. When terrestrial mobile signals drop, compatible phones automatically connect to the satellite network without requiring special settings or manual pointing towards the sky. The service supports most satellite-capable devices running Android 16 or iOS 26 and is included at no extra charge on T-Mobile’s premium plans, whilst other carriers’ customers can access it for $10 monthly.
Why it’s important
T-Mobile’s expansion represents a significant acceleration in the race to provide satellite-to-smartphone connectivity, with the carrier claiming to be two years ahead of rivals AT&T and Verizon. The move transforms satellite services from emergency-only tools into practical everyday connectivity solutions for hikers, remote workers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The business applications extend beyond consumer use. T-Mobile is integrating T-Satellite into its SuperMobile and T-Priority plans, enabling companies to maintain communications during outages or in remote field operations. Apps like FLORIAN for first responders and MultiLine for regulated industries now work via satellite, expanding mission-critical connectivity to previously unreachable locations.
The technology creates new competitive pressure in the mobile market. Whilst Apple has offered satellite emergency messaging since the iPhone 14, T-Mobile’s data service enables full app functionality rather than basic text communication. The carrier’s success in commercialising the technology—including already facilitating an actual rescue—demonstrates that satellite-to-cell services have moved from concept to practical reality.
