Starlink may send emergency alerts to users that aren’t with T-Mobile

Aptly named Coverage Above and Beyond, T-Mobile‘s partnership with SpaceX is meant to give T-Mobile subscribers text and messaging service coverage everywhere in the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico and territorial waters, even if they were outside the Un-carrier’s (or any carrier, for that matter) network realm.

Not only that, but the satellite Internet service managed to send streaming video to a regular phone on the ground as well, and the joint venture promises mobile data service for T-Mobile customers next year as well.

You won’t have to be a T-Mobile customer to receive emergency alerts on your phone, though, no matter where you are in the world, promises Elon Musk:

Elon Musk (X), August ’24

This surprising development comes as SpaceX is trying to placate the FCC to approve Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service, furnishing arguments like “the technology will be able to send emergency alerts to all wireless users in cellular dead zones, even if they haven’t signed up for the satellite-based service, including non-T-Mobile customers.”