We just lately coated the information that iOS 18.5 was bringing satellite tv for pc connectivity options to the iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 doesn’t have the {hardware} to help Apple’s lifesaving satellite tv for pc security options, Emergency SOS by way of satellite tv for pc, Roadside Help by way of satellite tv for pc, or Messages by way of satellite tv for pc. These companies are solely out there on the iPhone 14 and newer fashions and use Globalstar’s satellite tv for pc community.
What the iPhone 13 (together with newer iPhones) can do is talk with satellites by way of 5G frequencies by way of carrier-provided satellite tv for pc options. There’s extra. You don’t have to be a T-Cellular buyer to entry the T-Cellular Satellite tv for pc with Starlink service. It will likely be out there to AT&T and Verizon prospects, too.
When T-Cellular’s satellite tv for pc service launches, it’s going to solely help textual content messages on the iPhone when customers are outdoors of their mobile supplier’s protection space. The very best half is customers gained’t must level their telephone on the sky to attach, like with Apple’s Messages by way of satellite tv for pc, which requires the person to “be outdoors with a transparent view of the sky and horizon.” As a substitute, the service works whereas your iPhone is in your pocket, similar to it does via your provider now.
In keeping with T-Cellular’s press launch, the service will initially help solely SMS texting for iPhone, however MMS, image messaging, and brief audio clip help will observe. Customers might use the service to textual content 911. “T-Satellite tv for pc” may even launch a knowledge service to permit “software experiences” on October 1.
T-Cellular mentioned T-Satellite tv for pc’s beta program has been “extremely profitable,” with practically 1.8 million customers collaborating, together with prospects from Verizon and AT&T. Greater than 1,000,000 messages have been despatched by way of the beta program from areas like nationwide parks and oil fields, and practically 3 million messages have been acquired.
T-Cellular is prioritizing help for apps mostly utilized by adventurers like AllTrails, WhatsApp, and AccuWeather. Should you’re on T-Cellular’s Expertise past plan, T-Satellite tv for pc shall be included at no cost. It’s solely $10 monthly for Apple and AT&T prospects with the iPhone 13 or newer. Prioritizing security first, later this yr, T-Cellular will present its 911 texting service at no cost to anybody with a appropriate machine utilizing any provider, no matter whether or not or not they’re a subscriber. Should you regularly enterprise off the grid, this service could possibly be excellent for you. It could even be essential.