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T-Mobile and Starlink to Launch Satellite Connectivity for $15 a Month

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T-Mobile has announced that it will launch its satellite-to-cell service, powered by SpaceX’s Starlink, in July at a cost of $15 per month. The initiative aims to eliminate mobile dead zones and provide connectivity to remote areas, marking a significant advancement in mobile technology. T-Mobile’s shares rose by approximately 4% in premarket trading on Monday following the announcement.

The satellite service will address coverage gaps in regions of the U.S. that are inaccessible by traditional cell towers, with T-Mobile stating that 500,000 square miles of such areas will now have connectivity. A beta trial for the service began on Sunday, with T-Mobile offering the service free to customers until the official launch. After that, the service will be included at no additional cost for customers on the premium Go5G Next plan. Other plan customers will receive a 33% discount when the service officially launches.

In a groundbreaking move, T-Mobile will make the Starlink service available to customers of all U.S. wireless providers, including AT&T and Verizon, without requiring them to switch. The initial beta version of the service will provide text messaging via satellite, with voice and data features planned for later.

Mike Katz, T-Mobile’s president of marketing, strategy, and products, emphasized that the service is unique in the U.S. and will work across most smartphones from the last four years, thanks to partnerships with Apple and Google for seamless integration with their operating systems. This satellite service is expected to revolutionize connectivity for users in hard-to-reach areas.

Nokia and AT&T Sign Multi-Year Expansion Deal for Voice and 5G Automation

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Nokia and AT&T have signed a multi-year expansion agreement aimed at enhancing AT&T’s voice services and automating its 5G network in the U.S. This deal, announced on Tuesday, marks a significant step for Nokia, which follows a setback in 2023 when AT&T selected Swedish rival Ericsson for a major telecoms contract. Despite losing out on that $14 billion contract, which will cover 70% of AT&T’s wireless traffic by 2026, Nokia secured a smaller deal in September to build a fiber network in the U.S. and now has locked in this second agreement for cloud-based voice core applications and network automation.

Raghav Sahgal, president of Nokia’s Cloud and Network Services division, emphasized the importance of the deal, highlighting it as a reinforcement of the longstanding partnership between the two companies. The upgraded core network will integrate new voice services, leveraging AI and machine learning to offer enhanced functionality.

The specific value of the deal was not disclosed, but the partnership is seen as key for Nokia, as it continues to strengthen its foothold in the North American telecoms market. The collaboration with AT&T will focus on optimizing network operations and enabling new services that meet the evolving needs of customers.

Nokia recently reported stronger-than-expected financial results for Q4, driven by growing demand for telecom equipment in North America and India, and it is optimistic about prospects for 2025. In an effort to tap into the AI boom, Nokia also acquired Infinera in a $2.3 billion deal last year, aiming to capitalize on investments in data centers, including the significant Stargate project.

 

T-Mobile Expects Strong 2025 Growth as Premium 5G Plans Drive Demand

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T-Mobile (TMUS.O) has projected robust subscriber growth in 2025, surpassing Wall Street expectations due to strong demand for premium 5G plans. The company’s shares rose over 7% following the announcement.

Key Highlights:

  • Subscriber Growth Projection:
    • Expected postpaid net additions: 5.5M – 6M (vs. 2.7M estimate).
    • Q4 postpaid phone net additions: 903,000 (beating 858,500 estimate).
  • Premium 5G Plan Success:
    • Go5G Next & Go5G Plus plans bundle Netflix, Apple TV+ with high-speed internet.
    • 60%+ of new customers opt for top-tier plans.
  • Competitive Gains & Market Expansion:
    • Holiday promotions and AI-powered iPhone sales attracted switchers from rivals.
    • Growth strategy includes rural markets & fixed wireless access.
  • Financial & Operational Performance:
    • Revenue: $21.87B (above $21.31B estimate).
    • High-speed internet adds: 428,000 (vs. 402,000 estimate).
    • Postpaid churn rate: 0.92% (up from 0.86% in Q3).

T-Mobile’s strong performance caps a solid quarter for U.S. telecoms, with AT&T and Verizon also exceeding subscriber expectations.