Starlink Satellite Texting Reveiw

[406life]

This is a great service and I've been trying it for about a month now.

1. Connectivity is automatic. Once out of cell service within moments I get a text message that I am now on satellite texting. I don't have to do anything to turn it off or on. It uses my same texting app info while on Wi-Fi or cell service.

2. Relay and response is quick. It ranges from near immediate to just a few moments. None feels like it lingers in space.

3. Phone to phone in the field works as well.

4. I'm on the beta, and I don't know what it will cost, but I'll definitely keep it. I don't see this quite replacing the SOS button on the InReach or Zoleo (both of which I've used extensively and currently run a Zoleo). Once Internet and calls arrive however, I don't think I'll keep the Zoleo.

5. TMobile service is very comparable to Verizon. They have different deadzones that ivejad to figure out. I will say customer service has been much better than Verizon. But I also got hosed a little on my switch.

I'm on a Samsung S24 Ultra. And as an added bonus with TMobile I get free Internet while flying. I'm at 36k feet and posting this.

 

[hereinaz]

That's cool. Hope it comes to Verizon soon, cause I'm not switching. Verizon coverage is better in AZ mountains.

 

[GunsAreFun]

How about battery drain?

 

[jgross424]

That's cool. Hope it comes to Verizon soon, cause I'm not switching. Verizon coverage is better in AZ mountains.

I believe its coming to all carriers in July. $20 a month add on

How about battery drain?

Thats a great question.. Im sure some more data will some out soon. I would imagine it would be using more power to keep and search for the lesser strength signal from space.. However in my use case I would most likely be leaving it in airplane mode and periodically checking for incoming messages or sending.

 

[mntnguide]

Im on the verge of switching from Verizon. I currently have the Tmobile Esim installed on my verizon phone for free so i can see the difference in service for 3 months...at my house, verizon is 4g...Tmobile 5g here in rural western Wy. And the Tmobile plan will include starlink free, whereas id have to pay even more than current for Verizon to maybe have it. . So right now its making sense to switch and get a free new phone basically as well. Good to know it is working well for you so far

 

[jgross424]

Im on the verge of switching from Verizon. I currently have the Tmobile Esim installed on my verizon phone for free so i can see the difference in service for 3 months...at my house, verizon is 4g...Tmobile 5g here in rural western Wy. And the Tmobile plan will include starlink free, whereas id have to pay even more than current for Verizon to maybe have it. . So right now its making sense to switch and get a free new phone basically as well. Good to know it is working well for you so far

you might confirm the tmobile plan you are looking at. I believe only the top tier plan includes starlink. If not its like $10-15 extra p/mo

 

[mntnguide]

you might confirm the tmobile plan you are looking at. I believe only the top tier plan includes starlink. If not its like $10-15 extra p/mo

correct. Top plan its included

 

[406life]

How about battery drain?

I have not seen a noticeable drain on battery while in the fieldcompated to normal use. Its definitely less than a day of using OnX.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Sorry!! But I am not buying anything you know who is involved with!

 

[Sccritterkiller]

That's cool. Hope it comes to Verizon soon, cause I'm not switching. Verizon coverage is better in AZ mountains.

Verizon, ATT, and Boost have signed contracts with AST Sat mobile for sat network service...If you want the reliability of a proven platform, Starlink, you have to go with TMo. So the Elon hating folks can stay in the dark with ATT/VzW...As a 20 yr VzW customer who actually builds the network for VzW as my job...I am getting ready to switch to TMo for starlink. I already have Starlink sat at my cabin so I know how well it works.

 

[KSAaron]

Verizon, ATT, and Boost have signed contracts with AST Sat mobile for sat network service...If you want the reliability of a proven platform, Starlink, you have to go with TMo. So the Elon hating folks can stay in the dark with ATT/VzW...As a 20 yr VzW customer who actually builds the network for VzW as my job...I am getting ready to switch to TMo for starlink. I already have Starlink sat at my cabin so I know how well it works.

I'm on Verizon with my whole family and would be a pain to switch. You don't think there is much of a chance Verizon will end up with starlink?

 

[nobody]

In for reports on Verizon when it happens. The generic “satellite texting” on IOS works well enough but it’s far from perfect. Used to be on T Mobile until coverage shifted and I no longer had cell service at my own house in town or at my office 4 miles away. Not sure this would persuade me to switch back, but still interested to follow.

No matter how you feel about Elon, starlink is a huge deal. We get 4-500 MBPS on our standard Starlink plan at my house (faster than any other provider in my area and cheaper than top tier plans from all providers here as well), and best part is I never had to have some weird tech-bro come charge me insane amounts of money for a half-ass setup. Hopefully starlink’s reach continues to grow and it pushes innovation to other companies as well.

 

[SandyCreek]

Sorry!! But I am not buying anything you know who is involved with!

I’ll sign up in your place.

 

[gbflyer]

Sorry!! But I am not buying anything you know who is involved with!

Good. We won’t have you cluttering up the review.

Anything Verizon related doesn’t work where I live. Hope it will work with others. The Starlink satellite service here is a game changer. We have frequent phone outages, just switch to WiFi calling and ride on. Many have replaced their land lines and satellite tv with Starlink. It has allowed people to do their remote work and brought in new members to the community.

 

[teamwhitebelly]

Sorry!! But I am not buying anything you know who is involved with!

good you can save your votes and money for defunding hunters rights

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I'm on Verizon with my whole family and would be a pain to switch. You don't think there is much of a chance Verizon will end up with starlink?

There is no timline on the contract between AST spacemobile and VzW so they have an out...Vzw did payout 100mil in the contract...bottom line some top executives would have to eat crow and 100 mil for them to go to Starlink. Keep in mind your talking about the company that bought Yahoo in '16 for over 4 billion. Not exactly on the cutting edge of tech.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

good you can save your votes and money for defunding hunters rights

So I guess using starlink in my wall tent during elk season is now frowned upon?
You binary decision folks make it hard for me to keep up with what's cool.

 

[teamwhitebelly]

So I guess using starlink in my wall tent during elk season is now frowned upon?
You binary decision folks make it hard for me to keep up with what's cool.

im allll for starlink and its use for communication and its life saving function but some only see it as a person and not a service that has helped millions world wide.

 

[butcherboy]

I have Starlink at my house and it has blown away every provider we have ever used. When we built our house Xfinity wanted to charge use over 5k to run a line from the power poles to our house! Centurylink just flat out stinks. I’m seriously considering switching to T-Mobile for our cell phones. I’m tired of the huge Verizon bills and if I can get satellite coverage on my cell phone then I’m all in on that.

 

[BigBender]

Still waiting on my beta invite, signed up first day. When did you register and get in?