T-Mobile users with Samsung and Motorola devices will be among the first to experience MMS text support for the T-Satellite service.
T-Mobile's T-Satellite service, a groundbreaking initiative in partnership with SpaceX's Starlink network, has taken a significant step forward with the addition of MMS capabilities for Android and iOS devices. This service is designed to bridge the gap in communication in areas where traditional cellular networks are unavailable.
Launched on July 23, 2025, T-Satellite has already garnered a user base of over 1.8 million, including some from AT&T and Verizon networks. For T-Mobile customers, the service is included in the T-Mobile Experience Beyond plan at no extra cost. However, all other customers must pay an additional $10 monthly fee.
The service is particularly useful for sending SMS texts, which typically take about 1 to 3 minutes to deliver when outside normal cellular coverage. This reflects current early-stage service limitations and the shared bandwidth among users on each satellite beam. MMS message download times are not explicitly detailed, but given the limited throughput, MMS downloads would likely be on a similar scale or longer, depending on message size and network conditions.
Videos, being larger files, take roughly 10 to 15 minutes to send via T-Satellite. Photos, on the other hand, take approximately two minutes. It's important to note that users must remain in clear view of the sky to avoid disruptions and delays.
As the satellite constellation scales up with more advanced second-generation satellites, capacities and speeds are expected to improve, potentially shortening message delivery times in the future. However, as of early deployment in mid-2025, no specific MMS download speed estimates for Samsung or Motorola devices on T-Mobile’s T-Satellite are publicly available beyond the general text message timing.
The FCC has given approval for T-Mobile and Starlink's satellite connectivity path, adding credibility to this innovative service. Information in this report is based on tests conducted by PCMag and PhoneArena.
While T-Satellite's MMS service may help it stand out from other services, users should be aware of potential download delays. As the service continues to evolve and improve, these delays may become less pronounced. For now, it offers a valuable solution for staying connected in dead zones where traditional cellular networks are unavailable.
- Users can expect longer download times for MMS messages, possibly around the same scale as text messages, on their smartphones and other gadgets when using T-Satellite, a service designed for areas outside traditional cellular networks.
- As T-Satellite continues to improve and expand its capabilities with second-generation satellites, download speeds for photos and videos on smartphones and other devices may significantly decrease, potentially offering smoother and faster communication in areas with limited cellular coverage.
