T-Mobile customers affected by Hurricane Milton will benefit from free emergency satellite texting provided by Starlink.
On Tuesday evening, it was announced that Starlink has activated its Direct to Cell satellites specifically for T-Mobile users in Florida, where the hurricane is projected to make a significant impact. “We have now enabled basic texting (SMS) for those on T-Mobile phones in hurricane-impacted areas,” said a representative. “Text messages have already been sent and received. This allows users to contact loved ones, text 911, and receive critical emergency alerts.”
Additionally, Starlink has delivered 10,000 satellite kits to assist areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane Milton: Live webcams capturing the Florida coast as the storm approaches
Understanding Satellite Texting
The activation of satellite-based texting was made possible by the Federal Communications Commission, which granted approval for “special temporary authority” to provide cell service in hurricane-affected areas of Florida.
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Hurricane Milton, currently fluctuating between a category 4 and 5 with winds reaching up to 160 mph, is expected to make landfall on Wednesday afternoon along the Gulf Coast of Florida. Residents in southwestern Florida have been ordered to evacuate, with experts warning of potentially catastrophic impacts. “Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,” stated the National Hurricane Center.
T-Mobile users do not need to take any additional action to gain Starlink connectivity, although some may need to enable the satellite connectivity option in their settings. If a phone successfully connects to a Starlink satellite, it will display one to two bars of connectivity and identify the network as “T-Mobile SpaceX.” It’s also advisable to attempt sending messages multiple times if they don’t go through initially, as outdoor areas or spots near windows yield better results.
For those affected by Hurricane Milton who do not use T-Mobile, alternative satellite connectivity options may exist. Apple offers an Emergency SOS via Satellite feature on iPhone 14 models and newer, in partnership with Globalstar, while Google Pixel 9 features a similar Satellite SOS, thanks to a partnership with Skylo.
