T-Mobile and Starlink enable their satellite texting service in Florida

The Federal Communications Commission has authorized Starlink and T-Mobile to activate satellite messaging service for Florida residents ahead of Hurricane Milton. one Ad on XSpaceX said that Starlink’s Direct to Cell satellites will issue emergency alerts for all phones and carriers, not just T-Mobile, for those in affected areas. The companies also provide T-Mobile subscribers with the ability to send and receive emergency texts, as well as text 911, even if they’re out of the carrier’s network in the middle of a storm.

SpaceX said the companies activated Direct to Cell for Florida, while also in the midst of delivering more than 10,000 Starlink kits in response to Hurricane Helene. A few days ago, the FCC gave T-Mobile and Starlink permission to activate them Direct cell service for North CarolinaMore than half of the cell towers were temporarily out of service due to the hurricane.

Starlink and T-Mobile’s Direct to Cell service is not yet fully implemented. They only sent and received The first text messages using the technology in January. While they intend to start offering the messaging service this year, T-Mobile said they are deploying an “early test version” of it in areas hit by the hurricane.

Users will know if their phone is connected to a Starlink satellite if they only have one or two signal bands and the network name says “T-Mobile SpaceX.” The private space company said they would have to try to resend messages manually if they didn’t get through the first time and the service works best outdoors. If users can’t safely open spaces, they can try texting indoors near a window.