BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Help may be on the way to meet cellular connectivity issues in some of the region’s most stubborn dead zones.
With millions watching last night during the Super Bowl, cell phone provider T-Mobile put the official word out that they have partnered with Starlink to be the first mobile network in the U.S. that automatically connects to your phone in areas no cellular network reaches. This would be for texting only in the areas where there is no cell service.
Popular smartphone models should be able to use the service immediately. On their website, T-Mobile says that they are still working out the issues in their beta version, so the program is free to everyone who has a mobile device until July, after which it will cost $15.
Vermont officials say they support the opportunity for more access, adding that more cell towers are in the works also. “Even as these new offerings and partnerships with space and partnering to deliver those services, I think still we will make slow steady progress with the additional locating of towers in Vermont,” said Department of Public Service Commissioner Kerrick Johnson.
He says that other cell phone companies have similar partnerships they are working on to help expand connectivity.
It’s also important to note that if you ever are in an emergency you can always text 911 no matter what your service shows.