T-Mobile has officially expanded the capabilities of its Starlink-powered T-Satellite service in the U.S. by enabling Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) on select phones, allowing users to send not just texts but also photos, audio clips, and video files—even in areas with no cellular coverage.
What Is T-Mobile’s T-Satellite Service?
T-Satellite is the result of a collaboration between T-Mobile and Elon Musk’s Starlink. The service functions as a satellite-based mobile network that kicks in when users are outside regular cell coverage, providing crucial support for emergency alerts, location sharing, and—until recently—only SMS texting. With the launch earlier this month, T-Satellite is accessible to T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T customers, although sign-up procedures now vary by carrier.
New: MMS Support Limited to Samsung and Motorola
T-Mobile has silently activated MMS support, but it is currently limited to select Samsung and Motorola smartphones. According to user reports and PCMag tests in Southern California, multimedia messages—such as photos, videos, and audio messages—can now be sent over the T-Satellite network. However, like with text messages, users should expect some lag, and a photo might take minutes to deliver.
“Once you are out of the regular cellular network, your device connects to the T-Satellite network, and you can send multimedia messages to your connections.”
As of now, Apple (iPhone) and Google (Pixel) devices do not support MMS over T-Satellite, though T-Mobile has hinted that support for additional phone brands could arrive in the coming weeks.
How to Access T-Satellite (and Pricing)
- T-Mobile Experience Beyond subscribers: Access T-Satellite free of charge.
- Other T-Mobile plan holders: $10/month for the service.
- Verizon/AT&T users: $10/month, but now require an in-store visit or a call to 1-800-937-8997 to activate emergency texting via T-Satellite.
- Note: Verizon and AT&T are expected to launch their own satellite texting services later this year.
Key Takeaways
- T-Satellite adds MMS: Now supports sending multimedia messages, but only on Samsung and Motorola phones (for now).
- Lag is expected: Sending media files (like photos) can take several minutes over satellite.
- Wider device support is coming: Support for Apple and Google phones may be announced in the coming weeks.
- Open to non-T-Mobile users: Verizon and AT&T customers can sign up, but must follow new activation procedures.
This move further sets T-Mobile’s T-Satellite apart from other satellite-to-phone solutions, widening the bridge between seamless terrestrial and satellite connectivity for mainstream users—especially in emergency scenarios.