Starlink and T-Mobile have opened beta testing the service for several weeks but are making it available free of charge to L.A. customers.
Starlink Direct to Cell Available for Free to L.A. Residents
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A T-Mobile community support station which supplies free Wi-Fi and device charging to support L.A. residents displaced by the wildfires. | Image by T-Mobile
SpaceX’s Starlink has once again made its Direct to Cell technology available for free to T-Mobile customers to those affected by a regional disaster. On January 9, SpaceX and T-Mobile announced they would temporarily activate Direct to Cell for customers in the Los Angeles area, where wildfires have caused widespread destruction and outages.
“T-Mobile Starlink Direct-to-Cellular service over impacted areas of Southern California has now enabled basic texting, including to 911, and delivering wireless emergency alerts,” according to T-Mobile.
Starlink Direct to Cell currently only supports text messaging (SMS), so phone calls or data use will not work. This service is free but temporary. Starlink or T-Mobile has not indicated how long it will be active. In addition to activating Direct to Cell, T-Mobile has also deployed several mobile Wi-Fi and charging stations, which you can find their locations here.
How to do I use Starlink Direct to Cell?
Because the constellation of Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell is still being developed, SpaceX advises that “services will be delivered on a best-effort basis.”
The service works best outdoors and sometimes inside near a window, according to the post. If a text message doesn’t go through, customers should manually retry until it does.
If you’re in the affected regions mentioned above and have T-Mobile phone service, you don’t need to do anything to get satellite service. You’ll know you’re getting service if your phone reads “T-Mobile SpaceX” next to the service bars.
Starlink offers free satellite internet service for Los Angeles residents
In addition to Direct to Cell coverage, SpaceX temporarily offers discounted Starlink internet to residents in the impacted areas in Southern California. New and current customers in the area can qualify for a free 30 days of residential internet service, a $120 value. However, customers must already have access to a Starlink kit ($349), whether ordered online or purchased from a retailer like Best Buy or Home Depot. Read more about the offer here.
