T-Mobile: 'Paperwork' is blocking SpaceX messaging on more phones (2025)

T-Mobile is asking the FCC for permission to expand its SpaceX satellite messaging service to more phones.

The reason the request is necessary? Paperwork.

"Pursuant to the rules, consumers cannot take advantage of the new potentially life-saving service unless the manufacturer of the equipment they already own and operate seeks modified equipment authorization," T-Mobile told the FCC. "Worse, consumers have no ability to cause manufacturers to update their equipment authorizations – an inability with potentially severe consequences in the midst of an emergency when they need SCS [supplemental coverage from space] connectivity most."

T-Mobile added: "Requiring terrestrial operators or their SCS partners to block access to SCS service on a device-by-device basis due not to a technical issue, but to a paperwork requirement, is also contrary to the public interest."

According to T-Mobile, the issue centers on obscure FCC waivers and authorizations for SCS services as well as for standard smartphones. In its filing, the operator explained that an FCC action that granted SpaceX authorization to connect its Starlink satellites to some phones did not cover "legacy devices" or those that received FCC equipment authorizations before June 29, 2024.

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"Ensuring that all compatible legacy devices ... may similarly be used for SCS operations will allow the public to seamlessly receive services and emergency alerts in difficult-to-reach areas of the country and during and after emergencies – a result clearly in the public interest," T-Mobile argued.

Expanding the list of phones

"The goal with T-Mobile Starlink has always been to have it work on phones people already own so they don't have to go out and buy brand new devices," explained a T-Mobile representative in response to questions from Light Reading.

The representative noted that most new phones from the past four years or so are eligible for T-Mobile's Starlink satellite messaging service. Specifically, they include:

But with its latest request to the FCC, T-Mobile is hoping to expand that list to include older phones. The company's satellite messaging service is powered by about 555 Starlink satellites that can connect to unmodified smartphones from T-Mobile and other operators.

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However, it's unclear how many customers might actually make use of an FCC rule change. After all, US smartphone users typically replace their phones every three years or so. Further, customers buying new phones like the iPhone 16 or Google Pixel 9 will receive satellite messaging services through their phone vendor in addition to services they may receive from their network operator.

Still, the move is worth noting given ongoing activity in the phone-to-satellite industry.

[Author's note: I've still got an iPhone 13, so there are still a few of us out there with "legacy" phones.]

The wider context

In a high-profile Super Bowl ad in February, T-Mobile announced that its beta satellite messaging test is now free for everyone – T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon customers – until the commercial offering launches in July. Meaning, customers who register and receive access to T-Mobile's SpaceX beta service can immediately start using it for free until T-Mobile starts charging for the service in July.

T-Mobile said it will offer its satellite connections to AT&T and Verizon customers for $20 per month starting in July.

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"We are serving hundreds of thousands of beta customers right now!" wrote T-Mobile CTO John Saw at the end of March, in reference to the operator's new SpaceX-powered texting service.

But it's not clear how many mobile customers would pay for satellite messaging, whether through T-Mobile, Apple or another provider.

"The pricing I've seen in market seems a bit too rich to me," Verizon's Frank Boulben, Chief Revenue Officer at Verizon Consumer, said during a March investor event.

Indeed, Verizon in its latest promotional offering confirmed it won't charge extra for satellite messaging.

"We have the most ways to save with offers you can't find anywhere else including free satellite texting and the Verizon Openbank High Yield Savings Account," Sowmyanarayan Sampath, Verizon Consumer CEO, said in a statement.