Starlink Direct-to-Cell

[Kpm]

This is very intriguing for outdoorsman. It seems like either Apple or starlink will make
This a more seamless way to use without additional hardware. The big question is will they flip this into a totally new cost. I know Apple iPhone satellite Messi free for now… I have yet to be in a situation to use it but it’s nice to know it’s available.


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[WRO]

This is very intriguing for outdoorsman. It seems like either Apple or starlink will make
This a more seamless way to use without additional hardware. The big question is will they flip this into a totally new cost. I know Apple iPhone satellite Messi free for now… I have yet to be in a situation to use it but it’s nice to know it’s available.


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Long term the goal will be to make all phones satellite based.


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[Z Barebow]

Long term the goal will be to make all phones satellite based.


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As someone who works in the communications field, this will never happen. Law of Physics. There is/will always be a need a terrestrial layer. The frequency spectrum utilized by satellites do not penetrate buildings well. Nothing (currently) can replace a tower in the neighborhood.

 

[jgross424]

My hunting buddy was in the beta testing this year. During 2nd season in Colorado he was texting friends and family from his Iphone via starlink. He just had to point the phone towards the satellite it was looking for and then send his texts. Supposedly Verizon is coming out with messaging via satellite for Android also in 2025.

The starlink beta testing application didn't open until mid December so it was unlikely starlink. Probably the Apple sat messaging on ios18. I was on the beta for that this summer in which you have to point the phone at the sat. On Starlink you won't have to do that.

 

[Scale]

wow I might have to switch from Verizon to T mobile.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Too bad T-Mobile sucks donkey butt. Doesn't even work at our house 25 miles from downtown Seattle.

 

[WRO]

As someone who works in the communications field, this will never happen. Law of Physics. There is/will always be a need a terrestrial layer. The frequency spectrum utilized by satellites do not penetrate buildings well. Nothing (currently) can replace a tower in the neighborhood.

We have had a lot of impossible things happen in my lifetime.

 

[Z Barebow]

We have had a lot of impossible things happen in my lifetime.

True. I never thought I would see someone parallel park a rocket.

But I will stick with my original opinion RE terrestrial towers. Currently governed by the Laws of Physics. (Not the Good Suggestions of Physics, or Wonderful Wishes of Physics) LOL!

 

[Grundy53]

Too bad T-Mobile sucks donkey butt. Doesn't even work at our house 25 miles from downtown Seattle.

I'm also about 25 miles from Seattle and just switched to T-Mobile. It works great better than Verizon, which I had for 20 years.

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[Chet4570]

Might switch to T Mobile. Doesn't T Mobile use Verizon and AT&T towers?

 

[jgross424]

Might switch to T Mobile. Doesn't T Mobile use Verizon and AT&T towers?

definitely not.

 

[jgross424]

Might switch to T Mobile. Doesn't T Mobile use Verizon and AT&T towers?

here's a reply i made on another thread.. you could run dual sims..

"I switched to tmobile a few years ago and as many others have said its not great in rural locations compared to Verizon so i have been anxiously waiting for the Direct to Cell to drop. pretty exciting stuff.

But in the meantime, I have been buying Verizon eSim's as needed. I use the 'Airalo' app to buy them. Its like $9 for 3gb for 30 days. Its not a lot if you are streaming video at home or whatever.. but it works well while driving thru the mtns where t-mobile isn't as good so you can still send iMessages, calls, or loading maps/webpages.

There are a couple other eSim apps that use T-mobile networks (if you have verizon/att) and some that use ATT. Nomad is one.

(For those of you not familiar with eSim's, its basically adding a 2nd data line on your phone so you can run a T-mobile line and a verizon line and it will switch automatically to which ever has better signal.. )"

 

[ORwaterfowler]

here's a reply i made on another thread.. you could run dual sims..

"I switched to tmobile a few years ago and as many others have said its not great in rural locations compared to Verizon so i have been anxiously waiting for the Direct to Cell to drop. pretty exciting stuff.

But in the meantime, I have been buying Verizon eSim's as needed. I use the 'Airalo' app to buy them. Its like $9 for 3gb for 30 days. Its not a lot if you are streaming video at home or whatever.. but it works well while driving thru the mtns where t-mobile isn't as good so you can still send iMessages, calls, or loading maps/webpages.

There are a couple other eSim apps that use T-mobile networks (if you have verizon/att) and some that use ATT. Nomad is one.

(For those of you not familiar with eSim's, its basically adding a 2nd data line on your phone so you can run a T-mobile line and a verizon line and it will switch automatically to which ever has better signal.. )"

I did the same this year and it worked out great, had very little verizon service but great ATT in the area. The map below predicted coverage really well in the area i was in, just toggle on and off the providers to see whos prepaid esim you need to get. Ended up with a cricket prepaid on the att network to supliment the normal verizon.

https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/provider-detail/mobile?version=dec2022&zoom=4.10&vlon=-106.793427&vlat=42.168920&providers=131425_400_on%2C130077_400_on%2C130403_400_on&env=0&pct_cvg=0