Starlink, T-Mobile open their satellite texting test to all. Here’s how it works.

T-Mobile announced it was throwing open the doors to its satellite messaging beta test — powered by Elon Musk’s Starlink — for free until July 2025. The twist? You don’t even need to be an existing T-Mobile customer to try it. “If you see the sky, you can connect,” said Mike Katz, T-Mobile’s president of marketing, strategy and products, in an interview. “And not just in emergencies.” For years, smartphone makers and wireless carriers have sought to tap into constellations of orbiters to keep us more connected, and the expansion of T-Mobile’s satellite tests is one of the biggest we’ve seen yet. But there’s also some fine print you should be aware of before you head for the backcountry. Here’s what to know about T-Mobile and Starlink’s plans.