T satellite on T mobile
 

I searched threads and posts and did not find anything on this. I was randomly looking at my T mo account and found this. I had previously used the satellite messaging capability in far north Alaska (Gateway to the Arctic NP) and it was ok-ish. Now apparently there are more apps that can use satellite capabilities. We had Starlink in Antarctica in December, so no chance to use it there. However we have some Africa coming up in July, so I switched my account to one that can use the additional apps. Also saved some monthly charges, wierd. Anyway, here is the link if you want to investigate. I really like the Whatsapp and weather concept. I am switching to Experience Beyond 55 +.

T-Satellite Is Here: And Now It's Powering Apps! - T‑Mobile Newsroom

T-Satellite with Starlink: Direct to Cell Satellite Phone Service

We have one plan unlimited +55. I'm a huge fan as it gives me free data throughout almost the entire world. I was on a free trial plan for satellite coverage and now pay $10/month. I haven't seen benefit on the travel we've been doing other than some driving in northern California when there was no cellular service. Please keep us informed as to what benefit you derive. I agree it would be great to have WhatsApp and google maps with satellite service when cellular is not available.

I just noticed that free Apple TV comes with our plan. I did not know that.

You might double check the fine print, I believe on the One plans (which I'm on as well) the Apple TV offer is just for 6 months, not ongoing.

Also, paying $10 a month for satellite coverage doesn't seem like a very good ROI unless you are really in environments frequently that require you to use it (e.g. hiking, etc.) but to each their own I guess. However, I always look at monetary spend as an opportunity cost and I can certainly think of better things to spend $120 per/year on (perhaps on Apple TV after your 6 month trial runs out :)) and I certainly don't spend money on something that I'm not sure what benefit I'm deriving from it. Have you considered just subscribing to the feature, if you genuinely need it, just during months that you might use it?

Regards

oddly enough, i got a new apple watch ultra and it says it does have satellite capability too. Have not tested it yet. Did not need T mo as far as I can tell. We do go places with no cell service doing some more than average unusual excursions. Especially useful in the Arctic and Antarctica, may use it at Raja Ampat in January, if needed.

I suggest you also explore the Starlink option for your roaming connectivity. I have a Starlink Mini on the $5 a month Standby Mode. Currently you can buy the Mini dish for $199 from Starlink and it is a complete setup. I keep mine mounted to the inside of my sunroof with a suction cup mount, powered by a cigarette plug charger. I get low speed connectivity with the ability to make WiFi calls, texting, mapping and navigation, light web browsing etc. since the service has unlimited monthly data at 500kbps up & download. It should work well at both global poles as well as everywhere in between. You can update in a few minutes to high speed plans since you are connected to the web 24/7. Currently there are over 10,000 Starlink satellites in orbit for global coverage. A disadvantage is, some countries do not allow you to bring the dish into their country. It is truly an amazing technology and for $5 a month, a no brainer.

I have T-Mobile and an iPhone. I believe I get emergency satellite service from Apple, but haven't tested it for a while after it first came out a few years back. I do test the Starlink service almost daily, and it seems to very reliable and consistent at any location so far.

My brother’s last truck purchase included the option to add Starlink in a roof mount. He uses a weBoost on the headache rack before switching to wifi using Starlink. He is frequently in the remote parts of 5 states with patches of no cellular service.

Does T-Satelite even work outside the United States. I just saw that they just signed their first roaming agreement with Japan.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/starlink-...ellite-roaming

We just spent 2 days in the Russian River and Napa area. A surprising amount of the time there is no cellular service but there is satellite. I was disappointed to not get GPS when on satellite. That is a primary need when driving.

I'm surprised that you could not get GPS service regardless of cellular or satellite connectivity. I've never lost GPS signal & service anywhere in the world. I cruise frequently, and it has always been a sure thing when I check my downloaded maps on PocketEarth Pro for speed, heading, etc. at sea. Do you suspect the emergency satellite service somehow interrupts GPS reception, or perhaps your phone cannot use them both simultaneously?

iPhones have the A-GPS chips to establish coordinates without cell service. Androids have GNSS for the same reason. Are you referring to Google Maps which is not the same as GPS?

I map a hunting property in Oklahoma which has no cell service with my phone. The coordinates are marked for return trips on my offline maps.

We're an Apple family and have iPhones. I use Apple maps. What should I use?

The Apple MAPS app has the ability to download maps for use in areas when no cellular service is available, slow or expensive . Your iPhone GPS can then navigate within the downloaded areas. Google Maps and many other map apps have the same download feature. I use a paid app called Pocket Earth Pro that has features I enjoy and I can select downloaded maps by city, state, country, etc. for future use. Prior to a trip I usually load all the regions or countries I will visit. I then have quick and accurate maps with my location available instantly without needing to get cellular service.

Offline Apple Maps uses GPS coordinates with the downloaded maps for navigation. You will need to download the Apple Maps for the area while you have connectivity. When data was more expensive in Europe, I would download each area we were visiting to minimize data usage. The download maps update when connected to cellular or WiFi.

https://support.apple.com/guide/ipho...hcfb5f5bc6/ios


In my original reply, I referenced CalToppo to map my offline coordinates without cellular data. I use downloaded Apple Maps for west Texas, eastern New Mexico and Southern Colorado.