T-Mobile and Starlink launch satellite texting service in Florida for hurricane response

engadget.com October 9, 2024, 11:00 AM UTC

Summary: T-Mobile and Starlink have launched their satellite texting service in Florida, approved by the Federal Communications Commission. This service will provide emergency alerts for all phone users in affected areas, not just T-Mobile customers.

T-Mobile subscribers can now send and receive texts, including emergency messages to 911, even if their network is down during Hurricane Milton. The companies are also delivering over 10,000 Starlink kits to assist with Hurricane Helene.

Previously, the Direct to Cell service was only tested in January and recently activated in North Carolina. Users can identify the service by a "T-Mobile SpaceX" network name and may need to resend messages manually if they do not go through.

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Timeline:

  1. [5.0]
    SpaceX and T-Mobile launch emergency Direct-to-Cell coverage in Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton (benzinga.com)
    7d 2h

  2. [4.9]
    T-Mobile and Starlink launch text-by-satellite service in Florida (theverge.com)
    7d 8h
    Source
  3. [5.5]
    T-Mobile uses SpaceX Starlink satellites for emergency alerts in North Carolina (mobileworldlive.com)
    8d 21h

  4. [5.5]
    FCC approves SpaceX and T-Mobile to restore mobile service in hurricane-hit North Carolina (capacitymedia.com)
    8d 23h

  5. [5.3]
    FCC approves SpaceX and T-Mobile to provide satellite service for hurricane-affected areas (benzinga.com)
    9d 4h

  6. [5.9]
    US approves Starlink to restore cellphone coverage in hurricane-affected North Carolina (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
    9d 5h

  7. [5.2]
    US approves Starlink to provide emergency cell coverage in hurricane-affected North Carolina (gazette.com)
    9d 10h