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T-Mobile CEO and President Mike Sievert and SpaceX Chief Engineer Elon Musk have announced Coverage Above and Beyond: a breakthrough new plan to bring cell phone connectivity everywhere. Leveraging Starlink, SpaceX\u2019s constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, and T-Mobile\u2019s industry-leading wireless network, the Un-carrier plans to provide near complete coverage in most places in the U.S. even in many of the most remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell signals.<\/p>\n
Presently, despite powerful LTE and 5G wireless networks, well over half a million square miles of the U.S. in addition to vast stretches of ocean are untouched by cell signals from any provider. And as anyone who has ever encountered a mobile dead zone knows, the wireless industry has struggled to cover these areas with traditional terrestrial cellular technology, most often due to land-use restrictions (e.g. National Parks), terrain limits (e.g. mountains, deserts, and other topographical realities) and America\u2019s sheer vastness. In those areas, people are either disconnected or pay exorbitant rates to lug around a sat phone. SpaceX and T-Mobile share a vision where these uncovered areas are a relic of the past, and today, the companies are taking the first step to make that vision a reality.<\/p>\n
From the middle of Death Valley to the Great Smoky Mountains or even that persistent neighborhood dead zone, T-Mobile and SpaceX have the vision to give customers a crucial additional layer of connectivity in areas previously unreachable by cell signals from any provider. And the service aims to work with the phone already in your pocket. The vast majority of smartphones already on T-Mobile\u2019s network will be compatible with the new service using the device\u2019s existing radio.<\/p>\n
To provide this service, the companies will create a new network, broadcast from Starlink\u2019s satellites using T-Mobile\u2019s mid-band spectrum nationwide. This true satellite-to-cellular service will provide nearly complete coverage almost anywhere a customer can see the sky.<\/p>\n
With this technology, T-Mobile is planning to give customers text coverage practically everywhere in the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and territorial waters, even outside the signal of T-Mobile\u2019s network starting with a beta in select areas by the end of next year after SpaceX\u2019s planned satellite launches. Text messaging, including SMS, MMS, and participating messaging apps, will empower customers to stay connected and share experiences nearly everywhere. Afterward, the companies plan to pursue the addition of voice and data coverage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always thought differently about what it means to keep customers connected, and that\u2019s why we\u2019re working with the best to deliver coverage above and beyond anything customers have ever seen before,\u201d said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. \u201cMore than just a groundbreaking alliance, this represents two industry-shaking innovators challenging the old ways of doing things to create something entirely new that will further connect customers and scare competitors.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe important thing about this is that it means there are no dead zones anywhere in the world for your cell phone,\u201d said SpaceX Chief Engineer Elon Musk. \u201cWe\u2019re incredibly excited to do this with T-Mobile.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition, the CEOs shared their vision for expanding Coverage Above and Beyond globally, issuing an open invitation to the world\u2019s carriers to collaborate for truly global connectivity. T-Mobile committed to offering reciprocal roaming to those providers working with them to enable this vision.<\/p>\n
The news is the next step in T-Mobile\u2019s quest to deliver Coverage Beyond. Earlier this year, the Un-carrier gave customers enhanced connectivity beyond the reach of its network in the air and abroad. This partnership is the next step on the path to providing the ultimate coverage experience.<\/p>\n