Get the latest tech news

T-Mobile tests using Starlink to send emergency alerts you can get off the grid

It could be a big step for satellite communications.

By Jay Peters, a news editor who writes about technology, video games, and virtual worlds. Satellite alerts can help ensure that people receive critical communication when they’re out of wireless coverage range, and T-Mobile claims this is the first time a wireless emergency alert has been sent over satellite in the US. According to Starlink’s Direct to Cell website, the ability to text over satellite will roll out starting this year, and T-Mobile said in January that the service will expand to voice and data “ in the coming years.” In Wednesday’s blog post, T-Mobile said that it “intends to beta test the service before launching it commercially.”

Get the Android app