GoKawiilYou wouldn't think satellites zipping overhead would be bound by geographic boundaries, but T-Mobile subscribers have only been able to use the carrier's T-Satellite service in the continental US, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and parts of Alaska. Now, customers traveling in Canada and New Zealand can connect to the satellite service when they are out of cellular range.
According to T-Mobile's support page for T-Satellite, the new coverage areas are provided by partnerships with Rogers Satellite in Canada and One NZ Satellite in New Zealand. Both companies use SpaceX's Starlink network of low-Earth orbit satellites to enable texting and limited data from optimized apps, including voice calls using WhatsApp, for Rogers and One NZ subscribers in their countries.
T-Satellite works with most mobile phones made during the last four years and does not require special hardware to connect to the Starlink network. The service is included as a feature in T-Mobile's Experience Beyond and Better Value plans, and it's also available to anyone for $10 a month as a secondary eSIM account on your phone.
T-Satellite coverage in Canada (in light magenta) extends connections further north. T-Mobile/Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET
Canada and New Zealand are prime countries for this type of satellite coverage due to their large areas where traditional cellular networks haven't been established. 5G is limited in New Zealand, and 4G coverage is still fairly concentrated around metropolitan areas.
New Zealand's 4G coverage (left) versus satellite coverage (right). One NZ/Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET
With satellite access, you can roam New Zealand's national parks or Canada's northern wilderness areas and stay in contact with friends or call for help if needed.
T-Mobile's support page notes that other collaborations are in the works to add more satellite coverage areas for its customers. In a statement to CNET, a T-Mobile representative wrote, "We are building on our leadership in satellite connectivity by working with leading international operators so our customers can stay connected when they travel abroad."
See also: I Had to Drive 120 Miles to Test T-Mobile's Satellite Service