We thought we had learned everything that was to know about iOS 18.3 when it arrived earlier this week, but apparently, there is another feature that Apple did not tell us. As Mark Gurman from Bloomberg reported, Apple worked with SpaceX and T-Mobile US to provide support for the Starlink network in iOS 18.3, and customers can test it now.
T-Mobile opened the beta version for Starlink in December, but it was limited to Samsung phones, including Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and S24 without mention of the iPhone. However, he promised that Starlink “would support the vast majority of modern smartphones”.
There are some warnings. At first, the service only supports SMS via satellite and is limited to the United States. T-Mobile also says that users “will not need to maintain their phone to search for a signal”, a clear reference to the existing Apple emergency SOs via the satellite function which requires a clear view of the sky and the ‘horizon. However, Apple’s service also authorizes emergency calls as well as to send SMS to friends and family outside of normal coverage.
This feature was introduced with the iPhone 14 and was supposed to be free for two years after activating the iPhone. However, Apple has not announced any intention to invoice the service or deactivate it on phones after two years have passed.
Gurman reports that T-Mobile plans to extend the beta version in February and that the parent of Starlink Spacex asked power to start the beta version of the service from Monday. Starlink’s beta version is free for all users, but T-Mobile has indicated that the service will cost monthly costs. Starlink currently invoices $ 120 per month for Internet speeds from 30 to 150 Mbps but does not have an emergency satellite plan.
