Starlink and T-Mobile’s text-by-satellite service is available in Florida

T-Mobile customers in areas affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton will now be able to send SMS texts over Starlink satellites, according to SpaceX. It’s being offered on a “best-effort basis” and for free.

“We have now enabled basic texting (SMS) for those on T-Mobile phones in hurricane affected areas,” SpaceX says. “Text messages have already been sent and received. You can text loved ones, text 911 and continue to receive emergency alerts.”

If your phone connects to a Starlink satellite instead of the usual antenna, you’ll see 1 to 2 bars of service, and the network name will be “T-Mobile SpaceX,” according to SpaceX. You might have to retry text messages if they don’t go through, and SpaceX says the service works “best outdoors” and “occasionally works indoors near a window.”

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave SpaceX and T-Mobile temporary approval for the direct-to-cell service for areas impacted by Hurricane Helene earlier this week, where its satellites have been used to deliver emergency alerts to all phones and carriers. Now SpaceX says the FCC “has also rapidly approved emergency special temporary authority for coverage in Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton.”