Investing.com-- T-Mobile and Starlink launched a long-awaited beta test for satellite-based mobile connectivity on Sunday, stating that the beta was free and open to all U.S. carriers until July.
The move comes nearly three years after T-Mobile US Inc (NASDAQ:TMUS) and Starlink, which is a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, announced a partnership under which they planned to explore using satellite-based cell towers to provide on-the-ground cell connectivity.
The beta launch was first announced in a Super Bowl advertisement by the two companies on Sunday, after which T-Mobile issued a statement on its website.
T-Mobile said it plans to begin charging for the service from July, and that the service will be included for free in the company’s most expensive Go5G Next (LON:NXT) plan. The service will otherwise be available as a $15 add-on per month.
The company also said that users signing up for the service this month will be able to lock-in a discounted rate of $10 per month, as part of an “early adopter” program.
Additionally, AT&T Inc (NYSE:T) and Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) users will be able to access the service for $20 a month.
T-Mobile claimed that the service can provide connectivity in extremely remote locations, requiring only a view of the sky. The company said that it and Starlink were continuously launching new cell towers into space, and had a constellation of 451 satellites so far.
Starlink uses a constellation of low-orbit satellites to provide telephone connectivity on the ground. So far, the company has used proprietary terminals to provide on-the-ground services.
But the T-Mobile tie-up now allows users to connect to Starlink with regular mobile connectivity.
T-Mobile did not specify what mobile devices would be supported.