Users Are Frustrated As T-Mobile and Starlink’s Satellite Messaging Fails To Deliver, Falling Short Of Expectations And Leaving Many Disappointed With Its Performance

Ezza Ijaz
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Apr 3, 2025 at 04:53pm EDT
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T-Mobile satellite texting in beta program not received well by some users

T-Mobile has been working with SpaceX for a long time to bring cellular coverage to remote areas through the Starlink satellites. To extend this feature, it launched the satellite-powered direct-to-cell beta program in December 2024. This was meant to bring early access to U.S. customers and allow them to test the program. The full service is expected to launch in July 2025. However, some of the beta testers are complaining about the service and questioning whether the partnership offers underwhelming services despite the constant hype about the feature.

T-Mobile and SpaceX's satellite-powered direct-to-cell service beta program has left users feeling disappointed

By leveraging the Starlink satellite internet constellation, T-Mobile and SpaceX partnered up to bring connectivity in far-flung areas where communication is often compromised. It has not been long since both partners launched their service in the beta program to be able to test it before it is fully launched. However, contrary to expectations, beta users are dismayed with the service as it fails to deliver what has been promised and offers subpar performance instead.

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One of the users shared the testing experience on Reddit, expressing that they used it across the Southwestern US on spring break and were left disappointed. The service was called a hot mess:

So, I took my family on an epic spring break trip—Vegas, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Red Rock Canyon, and Valley of Fire. Tons of these spots have zero cell coverage, so I figured it’d be the perfect chance to test out T-Mobile’s Starlink beta for satellite texting. Spoiler: it’s a hot mess.Death Valley seemed like the ideal testing ground—wide open skies, no interference. On the valley floor and up at Dante’s View on a mountain peak, I’d get 1-2 bars of “T-Mobile Starlink” signal. Promising, right? Nope. Not a single SMS or iMessage would send. Four days of trying, and nothing. 
The user pointed out that most of the locations had no traditional cell coverage and that was where it made sense to test out the satellite service. While the phone would catch a satellite connection, it was not working as no messages were either received or sent out during the four-day testing period. If this is to be compared with the iPhone's built-in messaging, the latter outperforms with its ability to send messages seamlessly.
This experience was not limited to a single user, but many others shared a similar experience with T-Mobile's satellite service failing to deliver messages in remote areas across the U.S. It is important to highlight that the T-Mobile feature is currently in beta and the limitations might not come up when the program is fully launched. For now, users can try sending messages and test data capabilities.

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