T‑Mobile is acting to eliminate mobile dead zones by launching T-Mobile Starlink, which it says is “the first and only space‑based mobile network in the U.S. that automatically connects to your phone in areas no cellular network reaches.” For now, the service offers SMS text messaging, with “data and voice calls coming later,” according to T-Mobile. The beta is open to everyone, “even Verizon and AT&T customers,” with registration required for free access through July, at which point added fees will kick in for all but those on the T-Mobile Go5G Next plan, on sale now for $150 per month.

T-Mobile announced the plan with a Super Bowl ad touting the collaboration with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service. T-Mobile President and CEO Mike Sievert emphasized its “simplicity” — the hand-off is automatic, with no manual steps required.

“We’re still in the early days — I don’t want to overhype the experience during a beta test — but we’re officially putting ‘no bars’ on notice. Dead zones, your days are numbered at the Un-carrier,” Sievert said in the announcement.

Starting in July, T-Mobile customers who don’t subscribe to Go5G Next will have to pay an additional $15 per month for satellite-to-phone SMS connectivity via SpaceX’s Starlink, explains PCMag, noting that connectivity for AT&T and Verizon customers will be $20 per month per line.

“They will only need a compatible and unlocked smartphone that supports eSIMs,” PCMag says of those who subscribe to competing carriers, providing a helpful roundup on compatible phones.

“T-Mobile Starlink uses specially configured satellites with direct-to-cell capabilities orbiting the Earth 200-plus miles up in space and traveling at over 17,000 miles per hour to deliver cell phone signals — text messages for now with picture messages, data and voice calls coming later — to and from locations traditional cell towers can’t reach (aka mobile dead zones),” T-Mobile explained in its announcement.

CNET writes that “as part of the beta, people in the program will be able to send SMS text messages when they’re outdoors, even in areas where they don’t normally get T-Mobile’s terrestrial coverage.”

PCMag reports that T-Mobile made the decision to expand its beta to Verizon and AT&T customers after seeing a Verizon ad featuring NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

T-Mobile’s satellite move follows Vodafone’s news that it is launching a satellite-based video calling service, possibly as soon as this year, with Starlink rival AST SpaceMobile.