T-Mobile has encountered regulatory challenges that prevent its innovative Starlink-powered satellite texting feature from being available on a broader range of compatible devices. This technology, developed in partnership with SpaceX, aims to eliminate communication dead zones in the U.S. by utilizing SpaceX’s Starlink satellite system. While the service is currently in beta, it is limited to a select number of devices, primarily recent models from Apple, Google, Motorola, and T-Mobile, with Samsung’s Fold 3 from 2021 being an exception. The crux of the issue lies in the need for regulatory approval for devices to access satellite features.
This approval must be obtained by the device manufacturers, which can be a lengthy process. T-Mobile and SpaceX have therefore petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a waiver that would allow devices already authorized for terrestrial operations to access the new satellite features. They argue that the current authorization process is unnecessary and only delays the rollout of this potentially life-saving technology to consumers. The inability to quickly enable satellite connectivity is especially pressing during emergencies, such as natural disasters, where existing devices could remain inoperable despite their compatibility.
Jameson Dempsey, SpaceX’s Director of Satellite Policy, and Thomas Dombrowsky, T-Mobile’s Vice President of Government Affairs, emphasize that the consumer experience could become confusing if some compatible devices function while others do not due solely to paperwork issues. Currently, only messaging services are supported under the beta program, but T-Mobile has hinted at the rollout of data services sometime in 2025. As of March 2023, T-Mobile had hundreds of thousands of beta customers, and it is expected that the list of compatible devices will expand in the future if the FCC relaxes its requirements.