T-Mobile (TMUS) says it is partnering with Elon Musk’s privately held company SpaceX to connect its 5G smartphones to satellite internet and eliminate mobile dead zones.
T-Mobile said its new “Coverage Above and Beyond” plan will enable its latest generation of mobile smartphones to connect with satellites operated by SpaceX and provide connection of at least two to four Megabits per second across any coverage area in the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and territorial waters.
The companies said that the satellite connection will enable people to text, send MMS messages, and use some messaging apps whenever there is a clear view of the sky, even if there’s no traditional internet service though cellular towers available in the area.
T-Mobile’s stock is up 29% this year and currently trading at $147.07 per share.
The service is scheduled to launch in a Beta test by the end of next year in select areas and should eventually include data, said T-Mobile.
According to Elon Musk, second-generation SpaceX satellites scheduled to launch next year will be able to broadcast broadband internet using part of T-Mobile’s mid-band PCS spectrum, which was enhanced when T-Mobile bought Sprint several years ago.
Musk also said on Twitter that his other company, Tesla (TSLA), will use SpaceX satellite internet technology for premium connectivity features in its electric vehicles. Currently, Tesla uses AT&T’s (T) network for things such as live traffic views, online maps, and music streaming.
