T-Mobile’s off-grid satellite coverage now works beyond the US

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• T‑Mobile’s Starlink‑powered T‑Satellite service now supports satellite roaming in Canada and New Zealand.
• The change adds basic off‑grid backup coverage, but it still requires a compatible phone and a clear view of the sky.
• The expanded agreements involve Rogers in Canada and One NZ, with customers of those providers also able to use T‑Satellite in the US.

Satellite roaming expansion

T‑Mobile’s satellite service has so far been a nice plan B rather than something you’d use every day. It’s a limited‑speed backup option for when you’re off‑grid, and T‑Mobile recently admitted that customers are using T‑Satellite far less than expected.

As reported by the Mobile Internet Resource Center, T‑Mobile has expanded its roaming agreements with Rogers in Canada and One NZ in New Zealand to include satellite coverage. T‑Mobile customers could already roam in those countries, but the new agreements mean T‑Satellite can now also kick in there, giving travelers a little extra peace of mind. The arrangements are reciprocal, so Rogers customers with satellite service can roam onto T‑Satellite coverage while in the US.

Just like in the US, T‑Satellite is still a backup connection in those countries for areas without normal cellular coverage. You’ll need:

• a compatible phone,
• a clear view of the sky, and
• the right conditions for your device to fall back to satellite.

This caveat matters because T‑Mobile has already been called out over how broadly it advertised T‑Satellite. The company previously leaned on claims suggesting that simply seeing the sky was enough to stay connected, but the National Advertising Review Board recommended that T‑Mobile pull back on that messaging.

The upgrade could be meaningful if you travel through remote parts of Canada or New Zealand, where the ability to send a basic message is often more consequential than having fast data. T‑Mobile’s coverage map now reflects the new coverage in Canada, with T‑Satellite available up to the 58th parallel.

Pricing and availability

• T‑Satellite is included with T‑Mobile’s top‑tier smartphone plans for consumer and business customers.
• Other T‑Mobile customers can add it for $10 per month.
• Non‑T‑Mobile customers can sign up with a compatible eSIM‑capable phone.