T-Mobile has been offer SpaceX’s satellite-to-phone service Starlink Mobile, since last year. But according to T-Mobile’s CEO, usage has not been as high as the carrier had hoped.
On Tuesday’s earnings call, Srini Gopalan talked about T-Mobile’s service, which it calls T-Satellite. “Our partnership with SpaceX is very strong, we’ve worked closely with them to really invent a whole category. It puts an end to dead zones. We’re excited about that.” Gopalan said first. (He may have notes found at the 36-minute mark.)
Still, T-Mobile’s CEO suggested that the company’s land-based mobile network, which can still offer wide coverage, is meeting customer needs. In contrast, T-Satellite is only enabled for users in selected rural and remote areas outside the operator’s traditional coverage areas.
“Most of the (T-Satellite) usage we’re seeing is in national parks. And if anything, thanks to the great network that Dr. Saw[T-Mobile CTO]has built, we’re seeing a lot less usage than we thought. But it’s a great byproduct,” he said.
Coverage zones for T-Mobile and T-Satellite. (T-Mobile)
T-Satellite created some hype last year, attractive about 1.8 million registrations, but for the free beta. Since then, T-Mobile has not released exact subscriber numbers, while T-Satellite is free only for its most premium plans; all other users must pay $10 per month for the service.
(PCMag/Michael Kahn)
However, Speedtest.net‘s parent, Ookla, published the information last week found The number of US and Canadian users accessing satellite-to-phone services such as T-Satellite has declined in recent months. It’s possible that the winter weather and T-Satellite’s move from a free beta to a mostly paid service were driving factors. Ookla’s data only looked at Android usage when the majority of US users were on iPhones, which already offer free satellite messaging in dead zones through Apple partner Globalstar.
There will be consumers to pay for satellite phone services, and for how much, remains an ongoing debate. Technology is also ripe for improvement; SpaceX is aiming for 5G, 150 Mbps download speeds per user through next-generation satellite upgrades. closer Up to 4Mbps.
Despite lower-than-expected usage, T-Mobile’s CEO also sees T-Satellite as an important competitive proposition to help it stand out from its rivals. Both AT&T and Verizon are betting on a rival satellite provider AST SpaceMobile. Verizon also offers satellite instant messaging through a partner Skylo. But for now, T-Satellite offers not only satellite messaging, but also data access for select mobile apps. video call.
Recommended by our editors
Gopalan added: “And as you look into the future, we see a lot of other space providers emerging, and the way it evolves is we think it’s going to become more and more a standard feature of its entire offering as an add-on. So, in some ways, we’re less differentiated and we’re good at Un-carrier (T-Mobile). The customer problem, and then others follow, and while they follow, we’re on to our next big thing.”
Still, the CEO of T-Mobile does not plan to create a mobile virtual network operator MVNO cooperation with SpaceX/Starlink in terms of mobile connectivity. On the earnings call, Gopalan he repeated T-Mobile is turning to MVNOs if it can help expand the company’s overall addressable market, for example to target a new customer base or sales channel.
“It’s not clear to me how an MVNO with SpaceX or any other LEO (low Earth satellite) operator meets these conditions,” he said. But on Tuesday, T-Mobile did just that announce partnering with SpaceX to use home broadband-based Starlink to help deliver high-speed internet to businesses in remote areas.
About our specialist
Michael Kahn
Chief reporter
Experience
I have been a journalist for more than 15 years. I started as a school and city reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017, covering satellite internet services, cybersecurity, computer hardware, and more. I currently live in San Francisco, but previously spent over five years in China covering the country’s technology sector.
Since 2020, I’ve covered the launch and explosive growth of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, writing more than 600 stories on availability and feature launches, as well as regulatory battles over expanding satellite constellations, battles with rival providers like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon, and efforts to expand into mobile satellite-based service. I scoured FCC filings for the latest news and traveled to remote corners of California to test Starlink’s cell service.
I also cover cyber threats, from ransomware gangs to the emergence of AI-based malware. in 2024 and 2025 The FTC forced Avast to pay $16.5 million for secretly collecting consumers’ personal information and selling it to third-party clients, as revealed in my joint disclosure investigation with the motherboard.
I also cover the PC graphics card market. Disadvantages during the pandemic he took me to the camp In front of Best Buy to get the RTX 3000. Now I’m watching how AI-based memory shortages affect the entire consumer electronics market. I’m always eager to learn more, so please leave feedback in the comments and send me tips.
Read Full Bio
