• AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are working together to offer standardized satellite connectivity
• It would benefit customers not covered by cell towers, like in national parks
• Operators globally are looking to use satellite for more than emergencies, now

In a rare turn of events, three of the biggest mobile carriers in the US have announced they will be working together to tackle 'dead zones' across the country using satellites.

The joint venture, formed by AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, should help to improve connectivity in areas where traditional towers can fail, such as national parks and highways.

Satellites could also provide continuity in disaster-struck regions, where land-based infrastructure damages can cause widespread outages.

Satellite technology to eliminate dead zones

Because the joint venture's plan revolves around direct-to-device satellite tech, it would mean that regular smartphone could access signal in rural areas without consumers needing to buy specific satellite phones. While many phones now offer limited services via satellite, it's hoped that the scheme would make roaming between cellular and satellite networks more seamless.

"Having launched the first nationwide, satellite-powered direct-to-device network for text and data, we’ve seen firsthand how critical reliable connectivity can be when America needs it most," T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan commented.

T-Mobile already partners with SpaceX, which has been expanding its footprint across voice and data services on top of earlier emergency texting functionalities. AT&T and Verizon also have partnerships with AST SpaceMobile for their satellite services.

The announcement comes amid a broader global shift, whereby satellite networks are becoming more tightly integrated with regular 5G and 6G cell connections, instead of being a separate emergency-only tool.

As well as improving coverage and performance for customers, the joint venture also anticipates industry benefits, such as industry-wide device compatibility and an easier way for mobile network operators (MNOs) to integrate satellite connectivity for their customers.

The agreement in principle is yet to be confirmed, pending regulatory approval and confirmation of the finer details.

The Galaxy S26 is likely to drop any week now, but it's not the only game in town if you're looking for a high-end Android device. For example, have you considered the excellent Google Pixel 10 Pro XL?

This flagship device is currently free with a new unlimited data line at T-Mobile, which is, in my opinion, is the standout deal on the entire carrier's site right now. Unlike the current deals on the higher-end Samsung devices, no trade-ins are needed for this particular promotion, which makes it a very strong option.

While I don't have a crystal ball to predict T-Mobile's opening deals on the Galaxy S26 series, I imagine they'll almost certainly involve some form of trade-ins so definitely don't overlook this promotion if you need something with a relatively low barrier to entry.

We're also massive fans of the Pixel 10 Pro XL, too. Not to persuade you away from Samsung and into the dark side, but we scored it an impressive four and a half stars out of five when we reviewed it last year. It's a device that compares very favorably to the Galaxy S25 range, with a stunning 6.8-inch display and some of the best cameras we've ever tested on a smartphone.

The only downside? The chipset, which does lag behind the Galaxy S25 series on power, unfortunately. If that doesn't bother you, though, then you're getting a ton of phone for your money here. While you do still need a new unlimited plan to be eligible, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is still worth $1,199, so this is a significant discount.

T-Mobile's superb Google Pixel 10 Pro XL deal

• See more: check out all of today's deals at T-Mobile

Other T-Mobile deals to check out this week

I've just spotted the perfect two-line unlimited plan for thrifty couples (or anyone) looking to switch up their setup for something a little cheaper.

Over at T-Mobile prepaid, you can currently get a fully-featured unlimited prepaid plan for just $75/mo when you bundle over 2 lines. That's a plan that includes unlimited 5G data, talk, text, and access to the excellent T-Mobile Tuesdays perks program.

These are features that make the plan almost the equivalent of the brand's more well-known post-paid plans. As a prepaid plan, however, you're not locked into the usual lengthy contracts or T&Cs, so it's a good option if you need flexibility in that regard.

Multi-line offers are also pretty rare in the prepaid plan world right now. Even with stiff competition from the likes of Mint Mobile, this two-line offer from T-Mobile looks like a decent option - and certainly better than the similar prepaid offerings from the other big carriers. Getting reliable coverage and T-Mobile Tuesdays are major selling points here, particularly the latter, as that's something that you won't find at Mint.

Get two unlimited lines for $75/mo at T-Mobile

• See more: check out all of today's deals at T-Mobile prepaid

Note that the above deal is fantastic for securing a cheap unlimited plan. It doesn't, however, get you access to the big free cell phone deals that you can usually get alongside the carrier's pricier plans.

It's definitely a more flexible option overall, but if you're interested, you can check out a few of this week's best T-Mobile deals below, which include the latest iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones, and Google Pixel phones.

More of this week's best deals at T-Mobile

One of the best T-Mobile deals of the entire year is still up for grabs this week, although potentially not for much longer. Right now, you can still get four whole iPhone 17s for free alongside the carrier's entry-level Essentials unlimited plan.

A fantastic deal for families in particular, this promo is eligible without the usual trade-in criteria, meaning all you need is a new unlimited plan, and you're good to go without even having to hand over any phones.

Even better still, the Essentials unlimited plan comes in at an extremely reasonable $100 per month for four lines, so you're paying just $25/mo per iPhone 17 here. Considering the devices still retail for over $800 each, the potential savings reach all the way to $3,600 in total here. Not bad - even if you are still paying $100 per month for the plan itself.

Get four free iPhone 17 at T-Mobile today

• See more: check out all of today's phone deals at T-Mobile

As previously stated, this particular promotion was the highlight of T-Mobile's Black Friday sale late last month. The carrier has decided to roll over the promotion for a while, but there's no telling when it will actually end. In short, it's probably worth jumping on this one sooner rather than later if you're interested. It's the kind of promotion we usually only see around Black Friday or similar events, so it's pretty rare.

If you're interested, I've rounded up a few more of this week's best T-Mobile deals just down below, which include excellent options for single-line users and promotions on some of our favorite Android devices.

More of this week's best T-Mobile deals

If you've been thinking about upgrading your phone at T-Mobile, then take note that the carrier's big end-of-year seasonal deals are likely to end soon. We've had great deals since Black Friday, but they're slowly starting to dry up now.

For example, while you can still get the carrier's excellent four-phones-for-free deal on the iPhone 17, the free iPad and Apple Watch that was available with the iPhone 17 Pro is no longer available. The iPhone Air was also free without a trade-in, which again, isn't available today.

On the bright side, you can still get some really incredible deals like a free Google Pixel 10 with a pair of Pixel Buds 2 without a trade-in. You can also get four free Galaxy S25 on the Essentials unlimited plan, which is an incredible deal for multi-line users since that plan is $100/mo for four lines. With these deals, you've got plenty of choice, regardless of whether you want an iOS or Android device.

Check out today's best deals at T-Mobile just below, including a few fresh promotions that have just landed today on the iPhone 15 Plus and Galaxy Z Flip 7.

T-Mobile Cyber Week deals likely to end soon

Today's best Cyber Monday deals at T-Mobile are already live and offer some of the strongest promotions I've seen at the carrier. As someone who tracks the best T-Mobile deals all year round here at TechRadar, I'm rounding up my favorite promos just below.

While most of today's deals are reruns from last week's big sale, you can still get amazing discounts on the iPhone 17, Galaxy S25, and even internet packages. My list of today's best T-Mobile Cyber Monday deals includes all of the above, as well as a few alternate options that are easy to miss.

- Check out T-Mobile's Cyber Monday sale in full

Highlights today include the carrier's impressive four-phones-for-free deal on the iPhone 17, which lets you bundle four devices on the carrier's Essentials plan. Considering the plan costs just $100/mo for four lines, this is easily one of the best Cyber Monday phone deals for families right now. If you're not a single-line user, then you can also get a free iPhone 17 Pro with a trade-in, plus the option to bundle in a free iPad and Apple Watch, which is a rare promotion from the carrier.

You can check out more about these deals, as well as promotions on Android devices, just down below. Looking for more recommendations? Head on over to our Cyber Monday deals hub page for live updates from our team of experts here at TechRadar.

Today's T-Mobile best Cyber Monday deals

Other deals at T-Mobile today

1. iPhone 17 series: up to $1,100 off with a trade-in
2. Pixel 10 series: up to $1,100 off with a trade-in and plan
3. Galaxy Z series: up to $1,100 off with a trade-in and plan
4. Unlimited plans get third line free
5. Apple Watch 11: $200 off with new line, or buy one get $300 off second
6. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: free with a new watch line
7. Bring your own phone: get Essentials plan for $50/mo
8. Amplified home internet: free $300 prepaid card

T-Mobile Cyber Monday deals 2025: FAQ

What model does TechRadar recommend?

How do I save as much cash as possible?

As with Cyber Monday deals at other carriers, the biggest discounts at T-Mobile are tied to new lines on unlimited data plans or trade-in rebates.

Because of this, you'll definitely want to make sure you read the fine print. Note that the biggest discounts are locked behind the higher-end Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans, which can cost an eye-watering $100 per month for a single line.

If I were looking to upgrade my phone, the first thing I'd do is add up my total costs over the duration of a 24-month plan. You can then, of course, subtract your various Cyber Monday discounts from that total amount. Note that T-Mobile always throws in your third line free, so that's worth bearing in mind if you're a multi-line user.

It's go-time if you're looking for an upgrade at one of the nation's biggest (and best) carriers. Today's T-Mobile Black Friday deals are offering some of the most impressive discounts I've seen so far in 2025 across a wide range of phones and plans - including the iPhone 17, Galaxy S25, and much more.

Just below, you can check out all of today's best T-Mobile Black Friday deals laid out with the various plan terms and eligibility.

- Check out T-Mobile's Black Friday sale in full

Highlights include a free iPad and Apple Watch alongside the iPhone 17 Pro; a rare deal indeed from T-Mobile. There's also the option to bundle four iPhone 17 for free alongside the carrier's Essentials plan, which is quite possibly the best Black Friday phone deal for families right now. If you're more into Android, then the good news is that you can get similar discounts on Google and Samsung devices, too.

As someone who tracks the best T-Mobile deals all year round, I can tell you that today's Black Friday offerings are definitely a notch above what we usually see. Of course, to get the biggest discounts you do need plans and trade-ins, so I've made sure to include all the various information - including some buying advice further down the page.

Today's best Black Friday T-Mobile deals

Other deals at T-Mobile today

1. iPhone 17 series: up to $1,100 off with a trade-in
2. Pixel 10 series: up to $1,100 off with a trade-in and plan
3. Galaxy Z series: up to $1,100 off with a trade-in and plan
4. Unlimited plans get third line free
5. Apple Watch 11: $200 off with new line, or buy one get $300 off second
6. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: free with a new watch line
7. Bring your own phone: get Essentials plan for $50/mo
8. Amplified home internet: free $300 prepaid card

T-Mobile Black Friday deals 2025: FAQ

What model does TechRadar recommend?

How do I save as much cash as possible?

As with other deals at major carriers, the biggest discounts at T-Mobile are nearly always tied to either a trade-in rebate or a new line on an unlimited plan. I really don't see this changing for the upcoming Black Friday deals.

You might find a few upfront discounts on prepaid options for cheaper phones, but all the big iPhones, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy device deals will be tied to a plan for sure.

Because of this, you'll probably want to go into this year's Black Friday deals at T-Mobile armed with an idea of what type of plan you want to go for. Note that the biggest discounts will almost certainly be locked behind the higher-end Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans, which can cost an eye-watering $100 per month for a single line.

If I were looking to upgrade my phone, the first thing I'd do is add up my total costs over the duration of a 24-month plan. You can then, of course, subtract your various Black Friday discounts from that total amount. Note that T-Mobile always throws in your third line free, so that's worth bearing in mind if you're a multi-line user.

While you're here, don't forget to check out our main Black Friday deals roundup for more information on the upcoming sales. You can also see our Black Friday landing page for an overview of today's stories from our team of experts.

On the hunt for Black Friday iPhone deals today? You can do a lot worse than T-Mobile's excellent line-up of promotions. In fact, the headline deal right now is offering four devices for free alongside the carrier's Essentials unlimited plan.

That plan costs just $100/mo for four lines ($25 per line), so you're getting four free devices worth $830 on an exceedingly cheap plan here. Even better still, no trade-ins are needed to be eligible for this particular deal.

With that said, it's not the deal I'd personally go for at the carrier today. For one, you need four lines here, which automatically excludes me (and a lot of other readers, I assume). This is definitely a family-focused Black Friday deal.

Instead, I'd go for the carrier's excellent deal on the iPhone 17 Pro today. This device is currently free with a trade-in, and you can also throw in a free iPad and Apple Watch, which is a very rare deal indeed from T-Mobile. Annoyingly, you do need to pay for cellular lines on the accessories here, but it's a great option overall for single-line users.

T-Mobile Black Friday iPhone deals

• See more: check out all of today's phone deals at T-Mobile

Two exceptional (but different) deals

If you have four lines ready to switch, then T-Mobile's Black Friday deal on the standard iPhone 17 is easily one of the best on the market right now. You're saving well over $2,000 in costs on the phones alone here. Obviously, it's pretty niche, though.

Most people, myself included, are going to go for the trade-in rebate on the iPhone 17 Pro here. It's a $1,100 rebate (accessories excluded) that matches the previous record from the initial preorders phase, so it's definitely a good deal on top. The iPad and Apple Watch are also great bonuses here, but make sure you add-up the extra costs on the required cellular lines before you jump in - they can be surprisingly pricey.

While you're here, check out our main Black Friday page for more recommendations from our team of experts. Also check out our Black Friday deals hub for a roundup of today's best sales from Amazon, Best Buy, and other key retailers.

More of today's best Black Friday deals

• Amazon: 60% off TVs, AirPods & vacuums
• Adidas: shoes, clothing & gift ideas from $18
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $85
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99 at Amazon
• Christmas: wreaths, trees & decor from $5
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, grills & tools
• Hulu: Hulu + Live TV – $64/m for the first 3 months
• Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
• Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances & holiday decor
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off TVs & phones
• Target: Christmas decor & clothing from $10
• T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
• Walmart: TVs, vacs & holiday decor from $4
• Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

If you're on the hunt for Black Friday iPhone deals already, then there's no shortage of excellent promotions to check out at major carriers this week. T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T all have massive seasonal events right now, looking to tempt prospective customers with a range of free devices.

But which one should you go for? Well, I've been combing through the various T&Cs and eligibility criteria today to try and determine which is the best value. Annoyingly, it depends on what you're looking for – and I've delved into that further down the page.

As an overview, all three carriers offer discounts ranging from $820 to $1,300 off on the latest iPhone 17 series right now - either via a new plan or a trade-in rebate. In some cases, you can also throw in a free iPad and Apple Watch, although these do require lines of their own, so definitely weigh that up if you're interested.

Before I break down what I'd personally go for, here are those Black Friday deals from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile in full:

I've just updated this page to reflect the new deals that T-Mobile and Verizon have launched today. The new deals in question are the free iPhone 17 Pro Max at Verizon, and the free iPhone 17 Pro at T-Mobile; both of which, by the way, are available with a free iPad and Apple Watch.

Today's Black Friday iPhone deals at the carriers

Breaking down these deals in detail

• Cheap / free accessories still require cellular lines
• Verizon's iPhone 17 Pro Max is great for single-lines
• T-Mobile's iPhone 17 deal is amazing for families

So, which is the best? It's a tough call, but Verizon's current deal for the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the one with the most added value. You can basically get a free phone that's worth $1,300 on one of the carrier's mid-tier unlimited plans without a trade, which is a real notch above what Verizon usually offers.

T-Mobile punched back hard today, however, with its deal on the iPhone 17 Pro. Of particular note are the free iPad and Apple Watch that the carrier is bundling with the phone, which is something I haven't seen frequently at T-Mobile.

Another big deal you'll find at T-Mobile today is the four-free-phones deal on the iPhone 17. If you're a mult-line user, then this is an exceptionally strong promotion considering no trades are needed, and it's available on a plan that costs $100/month in total for four lines. Obviously, if you don't have four numbers to port over, then it's not something to pursue.

While you're here, check out our main Black Friday page for more recommendations from our team of experts. Also check out our Black Friday deals hub for a roundup of today's best sales from Amazon, Best Buy, and other key retailers.

More of today's best Black Friday sales

• Amazon: 60% off TVs, AirPods & vacuums
• Adidas: shoes, clothing & gift ideas from $18
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $85
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99 at Amazon
• Christmas: wreaths, trees & decor from $5
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, grills & tools
• Hulu: Hulu + Live TV – $64/m for the first 3 months
• Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
• Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances & holiday decor
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off TVs & phones
• Target: Christmas decor & clothing from $10
• T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
• Walmart: TVs, vacs & holiday decor from $4
• Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

The carrier T-Mobile has just surprised us with a new batch of excellent seasonal deals today, including the option to bundle up to four iPhones for free alongside an unlimited plan without the usual trade-in criteria.

Essentially an early Black Friday deal in all but name, today's promotion offers the most generous deal we've seen on the iPhone 17 at T-Mobile since the device was launched back in September.

What makes these T-Mobile deals so good, apart from the lack of trade-in criteria, is that they're eligible with the carrier's entry-level Essentials plan. This 5G unlimited plan costs just $100 per month for four lines thanks to the carrier's 'third-line-free' policy, so it's entirely possible to get four free iPhone 17 for just $25/mo per line here.

If you prefer Android, then the good news is that this same deal is currently available on the excellent Samsung Galaxy S25 - allowing you to bundle four devices for free alongside a new unlimited plan.

While you're here, don't forget to check out my main T-Mobile Black Friday deals page for more information on the upcoming sales. You can also see our Black Friday landing page for an overview of today's stories from our team of experts.

Early Black Friday deals at T-Mobile

Other deals at T-Mobile today

1. iPhone 17 series: up to $1,100 off with a trade-in, or $830 off with switch
2. Pixel 10 series: up to $1,100 off with a trade-in and plan
3. Galaxy Z series: up to $1,100 off with a trade-in and plan
4. Unlimited plans get third line free
5. Apple Watch 11: $200 off with new line, or buy one get $300 off second
6. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: free with a new watch line
7. Bring your own phone: get Essentials plan for $50/mo
8. Amplified home internet: free $300 prepaid card

T-Mobile's current 5G Home Internet deal is one of the best options on the market if you're looking to upgrade your connection. Not only does it make a connection super-cheap, but you can get 5G speeds at your home without any annoying installation.

The deal in question is a $15 per month discount when you bundle together an internet plan with a phone plan at T-Mobile. Regardless of whether you're a new or existing customer, you can get 5G Home Internet plan for as little as $35/mo with this deal for a whopping five years, thanks to a price guarantee.

Even the entry-level 'Rely' plan offers internet speeds of anywhere between 134 Mbps to 415 Mbps download speeds, depending on your coverage. It's quite an impressive package for just $35/mo with this promotion.

If you're looking for a more fully-featured plan, that discount also applies to the higher-end Amplified and All-In plans. These plans include a 24/7 tech support line, and, in the case of the All-In plan, a subscription to Hulu and Paramount+.

All 5G Home Internet plans currently come with an additional prepaid gift card of up to $300 in value as a side bonus. That's a handy little gift that can be used to make your plans even cheaper – although that's exclusively for new customers making the switch to T-Mobile.

Today's best T-Mobile 5G Home Internet deal

• See more: check out all of today's deals at T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet is a flexible and affordable alternative to traditional broadband, starting at just $35 per month when bundled with phone service. All plans include unlimited data on T-Mobile’s expansive 5G network, a free 5G Gateway device, and a five-year price guarantee.

Depending on the tier, you also get perks, such as advanced cybersecurity features, 24/7 support, and even free Hulu and Paramount+ subscriptions with the top-tier All-In plan. To check your availability, simply use the zip-code checker provided on the T-Mobile site.

While 5G internet isn’t as fast or consistent as fiber or cable, it’s a great choice for everyday use like browsing, streaming, and working from home if you want something simple and contract-free. Plans range from $55 to $75 per month (or $35 to $55 with today's deal), and all include taxes and fees upfront.

There’s also a 15-day trial with free returns if you’re not satisfied. For those in eligible areas, T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet is a low-hassle way to stay connected, and the free Mastercard gift card is a nice bonus.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes with a hefty price tag, but there's one deal at T-Mobile that's offering serious value on this stunning device. You can currently enjoy a massive $1,000 discount when you pair the device with a new line on the carrier's Experience More or Experience Beyond plans.

Not only is that a great deal, but it's the only discount of such calibre at the carrier that doesn't require the usual trade-in criteria.

This particular discount means you can cut the total cost for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold down to $799. That's still pretty pricey, but it's enough to bring the monthly costs down from an eye-wateringly high $75 to just $33 per month over a two-year plan period.

And, the fact that you don't have to trade in arguably makes this one of the more approachable promotions of its type at the carrier.

Epic Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold deal at T-Mobile

• See more: check out all of today's phone deals at T-Mobile

One of our favorite foldable phones for less

Today's deal at T-Mobile on the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold goes a long way in addressing our main complaint with the device: its absurdly, eye-wateringly high price tag. At $799, I'd say the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a much more appealing buy if the potential of a premium foldable device appeals to you.

For one, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is arguably the most robust and premium-feeling foldable thanks to its IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. That's a significant selling point compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold also features superior battery life and support for the new Pixelsnap magnetic accessories (think Apple MagSafe).

With that said, the Fold 7 is the quicker device – and it features better cameras in our opinion. It's another fine choice if you'd prefer to go for that, although note that you can only get up to $1,000 off via a trade-in at T-Mobile on the Samsung right now.

• T-Mobile’s T-Satellite service is now available for more apps
• It lets you use some major apps when connected to a satellite
• T-Mobile has also shuttered its exclusive Google One storage deals

T-Mobile has been offering Starlink connectivity to its customers for a few months now, and the T-Satellite service gives you a way to contact people and connect to the internet when mobile data isn’t available. It’s just been updated to add satellite connectivity to a suite of popular apps, making them more useable when you’re off the grid and away from cell towers.

Posting on its blog, T-Mobile announced that multiple apps will feel the benefits. That includes AllTrails, AccuWeather, CalTopo, Google Maps, onX, T-Life, WhatsApp and X. That expands the number of apps that can tap into satellite service, and those options join several device-native apps – like Apple Music, Google Messages, Pixel Weather and more – that were already compatible.

And improvements haven’t just come on the software side, as T-Mobile has added 17 more phones that will now work with T-Satellite. That includes Apple’s iPhone Air and third-generation iPhone SE, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and more. There’s a full list on T-Mobile’s support page, but you can scroll down to the end of this story for the full list of new models.

Note that when you’re hooked up to a satellite, you’re unlikely to get the full-fat experience that you’re used to with these apps. In most cases, your connection will likely be slower than when you’re on mobile data or Wi-Fi, and certain features might be unavailable.

T-Satellite is included in T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans. If you’re on a different plan or are a customer of a rival cell provider, you can still sign up for $10 a month. You also need to have a smartphone that is capable of connecting to satellites, which includes the iPhone 13 or later, the Samsung Galaxy S21 or later, and the Google Pixel 9a or later (support for the Pixel 9 is “coming soon,” T-Mobile says).

Something gained, something lost

It’s not all good news for T-Mobile customers, though. At the same time as it was expanding its T-Satellite offering, T-Mobile and Google have quietly ditched an exclusive Google One membership tier that included unlimited full-resolution image storage in Google Photos.

This deal allowed T-Mobile customers to access a special Google Photos perk when subscribing to a Google One membership through their cell provider. Ordinarily, paying $9.99 a month would get you 2TB of total storage on Google’s servers.

If you signed up through T-Mobile, however, this would be supplemented with unlimited Google Photos storage – at full resolution, no less. There were also lower tiers that came with additional storage compared to the regular Google One offering.

Sadly, those deals are no longer available to new customers, as of September 30. If you’re a current user of this service, though, you can keep using it, providing you don’t cancel it.

If you’re looking for a new place to store your photos, you still have other options, from the best Google Photos alternatives to the best cloud storage for photos. Make a good choice and your images will be safe and sound, even without T-Mobile’s Google One storage tier.

And if you're interesting in trying that Starlink connectivity from T-Mobile, here's that full list of the new phones that are supported:

• iPhone Air 
• iPhone SE (third-generation)
• moto g 5G 2025
• moto g power 5G 2025
• Samsung Galaxy A36 SE
• Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S24
• Samsung Galaxy S24+
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
• Samsung Galaxy S25
• Samsung Galaxy S25+
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

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• T-Mobile’s Starlink satellite service officially launches – here’s which phones it supports and how it compares to Apple’s free rival
• Best Google Photos alternative of 2025
• Best way to backup photos of 2025

If you're looking to bundle up the brand new iPhone 17 with a cheap multi-line unlimited plan, then definitely check out T-Mobile's excellent preorder deal. Right now, the carrier is offering up to four iPhone 17 devices for free with a trade-in alongside its exceptionally affordable Essentials unlimited plan. That's a plan that costs just $100 in total when you have four lines bundled together.

While you'll still have to trade in some old devices to be eligible, it's possible to pay just $25/mo per line and get a free iPhone 17 to boot. If you added up your total savings, it would equate to just over $3,200 over the duration of a two-year plan.

If you're not looking for a bundle discount, then T-Mobile also has some great options for single-line users. The carrier's trade-in and switching rebates reach up to $1,100 today, which is enough to cover the entire cost of the iPhone 17 Pro. Note, however, that these deals are only available on the higher-end plans, unlike the deal previously mentioned on the iPhone 17.

T-Mobile's Apple iPhone 17 bundle deal

• See more: check out all of today's phone deals at T-Mobile

Also available at T-Mobile today

The new iPhone 17 series is officially available to preorder tomorrow, and one of the best opening deals I've seen so far is over at T-Mobile. While preorders haven't landed yet, the carrier has already previewed all its promotions ahead of the planned 8AM EST / 5AM PST start time.

Up for grabs is a hefty trade-in rebate of up to $1,100 off all four new devices – a deal that's eligible with a new line on the carrier's Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans. While those plans can be pretty pricey, eligibility states that you can get a maximum rebate by handing over an iPhone 13 Pro or newer.

That makes this a fairly accessible deal as far as trades go, with a maximum rebate that's technically enough to cover the entire cost of the brand-new iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone Air.

If you're not looking to trade, then the good news is there's another way to get a free iPhone 17 at T-Mobile. The carrier also has a secondary deal that offers an $830 discount when you switch from another major carrier. That's enough to cover the entire cost of the standard iPhone 17 without having to go down the annoying trade-in route. I've attached details on that deal just down below.

T-Mobile's iPhone 17 preorder deals

• See more: check out all of today's phone deals at T-Mobile

Note that iPhone 17 preorders open tomorrow (Friday, 12th) at 5AM PST / 8AM EST, so there isn't long until you can secure yourself a next-gen iPhone. Generally speaking, preorders don't tend to sell out but if you have a specific color and storage variant in mind, then it might be wise to get your order in earlier rather than later.

What's new with the iPhone 17 series?

• Brand new Air model replaces the Plus
• A19 and A19 Pro chipsets
• Upgraded cameras
• New vapor chamber cooling on the Pro models

Apple’s 2025 lineup shakes things up with the introduction of the iPhone Air; a super-slim model that replaces old Plus model. It joins the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max - all of which are direct upgrades to the previous generation.

The iPhone Air stands out as Apple’s thinnest phone yet at just 5.6mm. Despite its slim design, it packs the same A19 Pro chip as the Pro models - in impressive feat that should give it excellent performance.

That thinness comes with some trade-offs, though. The Air has only a single 48MP “fusion” rear camera instead of the Pro’s triple-lens setup. We also expect battery life to be a little worse than the other models - although, Apple has still "promised all-day battery life".

The standard iPhone 17 now boasts a 120Hz ProMotion display with peak brightness up to 3,000 nits, runs on the faster A19 chipset, and includes dual 48MP cameras plus a new “Center Stage” selfie camera. Apple has also doubled the base storage to 256GB, which gives entry-level buyers a nice bump in value.

For power users, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max deliver the most substantial improvements. They adopt a new unibody aluminum design with Ceramic Shield glass, plus an all-new vapor chamber cooling system. That will be helping squeeze out even more power from the new A19 Pro chipset, which Apple claims can achieve MacBook Pro-level graphics.

For cameras, both Pro devices sport a triple 48MP system, including a telephoto lens with up to 8x hybrid zoom. You also get support for ProRes Raw capture and Genlock, which further boost the model's content creator credentials.

If you're on the hunt for a stylish foldable phone, you could go for the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, but why not try something a little different? The excellent Motorola Razr is a superb choice, and some of T-Mobile's best deals this week are available on these excellent clamshell phones.

Right now, you can get a device - including the stunning Motorola Razr Plus - for free with either an eligible trade-in rebate or a new line on an unlimited data plan. In the case of the Razr Ultra, you can instead get a massive discount of up to $1,000 off, significantly cutting this high-end device's price tag down to size.

We rate the Razr family as some of the best foldable phones money can buy, so T-Mobile's current deals get an easy recommendation this week. In particular, we love the brand's unique selection of materials and finishes, but internally, they also manage to pack in a compelling stack of features. The Ultra, in particular, features a super-speedy Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and camera that can easily keep up with the best from Apple, Google, and other major brands.

If you want to read more about how the Motorola Razr stacks up against Samsung's latest clamshell phone, then you can check out our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs Motorola Razr Ultra page.

Today's best Motorola Razr phone deal at T-Mobile

• See more: check out all of today's phone deals at T-Mobile

Preferred partner (What does this mean?)

T-Mobile's latest iPhone 16 deals are offering a huge trade-in rebate on the iPhone 16 Pro, with up to $1,000 off this premium device. Not only that, but the carrier will also give new customers up to $800 off to pay off their old plan.

Combined, you're potentially getting up to $1,800 in value here - enough to entice prospective customers into making the switch if they're sick of their old carrier.

To be eligible, your old phone will need to technically be unlocked, so bear that in mind before you jump in. You'll also need a new line on the higher-end Experience Beyond plan to be eligible for the iPhone 16 Pro trade-in. The carrier will, however, take a trade-in in 'any condition', so there should be a fair amount of leeway in terms of device eligibility.

While pricey, the Experience Beyond plan also includes some serious perks, too. Not only do you get completely unlimited data at the quickest speeds possible at T-Mobile, but you'll also get Netflix, Apple TV+, and Hulu thrown in for free, alongside additional discounts for tablets and tablet lines.

Today's best iPhone 16 Pro deal at T-Mobile

• See more: check out all of today's deals at T-Mobile

Note, if you're not looking to trade in, then it's well worth checking out T-Mobile's current deal on the iPhone 16. The standard device is currently available for free when you switch over to T-Mobile without the need for a trade-in, which could be a good option if you're otherwise ineligible for the iPhone 16 Pro deal above.

T-Mobile's 5G home internet plans were already a decent value, but a new deal at the carrier is making them an even better choice this week.

For a limited time, you'll be able to get up to $300 back in the form of a prepaid Mastercard when you sign up for one of the carrier's internet plans. That's a great little freebie that's perfect for driving down costs even further, although according to the T&C's, you can spend it on whatever you like!

If you're already a T-Mobile customer, this could be a great option since you'll not only get the gift card but also additional discounts for bundling your mobile and internet plan together. Note, there's also a five-year price guarantee on all three home internet plans at T-Mobile currently - yet another reason to consider signing up.

T-Mobile 5G home internet deal

• See more: check out all of today's deals at T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet is a flexible and affordable alternative to traditional broadband, starting at just $35 per month when bundled with phone service. All plans include unlimited data on T-Mobile’s expansive 5G network, a free 5G Gateway device, and a five-year price guarantee. Depending on the tier, you’ll also get perks like advanced cybersecurity features, 24/7 support, and even free Hulu and Paramount+ subscriptions with the top-tier All-In plan. To check your availability, simply use the zip-code checker provided on the T-Mobile site.

While 5G internet isn’t as fast or consistent as fiber or cable, it’s a great choice for everyday use like browsing, streaming, and working from home if you want something simple and contract-free. Plans range from $50 to $70 per month (or $35 to $55 with a wireless bundle), and all include taxes and fees upfront. There’s also a 15-day trial with free returns if you’re not satisfied. For those in eligible areas, T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet is a low-hassle way to stay connected, and the free Mastercard gift card is a nice bonus.

• T-Mobile’s Starlink-powered satellite service has just fully launched
• You can connect to satellites without needing apps or settings changes
• It’s available for a monthly fee, even to non-T-Mobile customers

T-Mobile has just launched its Starlink satellite service, dubbed T-Satellite, after testing it for many months. It brings connectivity to remote areas not currently served by any of the major mobile networks – but what do you get from T-Mobile, and how does it compare to the free alternative offered by Apple?

With T-Satellite, T-Mobile says you’ll get coverage provided by over 650 satellites orbiting the Earth. Your phone will connect automatically, with no apps to download or settings to change. That said, you may get a small amount of downtime as your phone disconnects from one satellite and connects to another – the satellites are moving in orbit, after all, so you won’t always be hooked up to the same one.

According to T-Mobile, the service works with over 60 mobile devices. That includes every iPhone from the iPhone 13 onwards, the Samsung Galaxy S21 and later, Google Pixel phones going back to the Google Pixel 9, and more.

Other supported devices include the latest Motorola Razr 2025 series and the latest Samsung Galaxy A56. You can read the full list on T-Mobile's eligibility guide. The latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 are listed as "coming soon".

If you’re on T-Mobile’s Go5G Next or Experience Beyond plans, you get T-Satellite included for free. Other T-Mobile customers can access it for $10 a month per line, although the company says the price will rise to $15 per month after a “limited time.” Customers of other networks can also sign up for $10 a month (later $15 a month) by contacting T-Mobile.

How does Apple compare?

Apple has offered its own satellite service for a few years now, so you might be wondering what its advantages and disadvantages are compared to T-Satellite.

For one thing, Apple’s offering is a lot broader than what you get with T-Mobile. With Apple, you can send and receive messages, contact emergency services, share your whereabouts with Find My, organize roadside assistance for your vehicle, and get weather reports. T-Satellite, meanwhile, only supports sending and receiving text messages. It doesn’t offer data or any of the other services that Apple supports.

As well as that, Apple’s satellite functionality is entirely free (for the time being, at least), whereas T-Mobile’s requires a monthly subscription. On the other hand, you can only access Apple’s satellite service if you have an Apple device, while T-Mobile’s works with a range of iOS and Android products.

You’ll need to consider which option suits you best based on your circumstances. But with T-Satellite emerging from its beta-testing period, you’ve got another choice for staying connected when you’re off the grid.

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If you've been thinking about picking up one of the latest Google Pixel 9 phones but have yet to commit, T-Mobile's latest deal might just get you off the fence.

The carrier is currently offering several devices from the latest Google range of flagships for free alongside a new line. That includes the Pixel 8 XL, the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9a, and best yet, no trade-ins are needed at all.

To get the pricier devices, you'll need a line on one of the more expensive Experience More or Experience Beyond plans, but it's still possible to score one of the cheaper devices on a more reasonably priced plan.

As a side bonus, all Pixel 9 devices are available with a free pair of Google Pixel Buds Series A earbuds right now. These aren't the best earbuds in the world, but they're a decent pairing with a Pixel 9 with their excellent Google Assistant support. You can also choose to upgrade to the higher-end Pixel Buds Pro for just $99, which could be a better option if you're looking for a more premium audio experience.

Today's best Pixel 9 deal at T-Mobile

• See more: check out all of today's phone deals at T-Mobile

Also available at T-Mobile this week

• Hacker posts new thread on a dark web forum, claiming to have stolen millions of records from T-Mobile
• The records included names, email addresses, phone numbers, and other PII
• However T-Mobile says the archive has nothing to do with the company or its customers

Hackers have recently shared a new database they claim contains sensitive customer information stolen from the American telecommunications giant, T-Mobile. However, the company denied any connection to the archive, saying it had nothing to do with it, or its clients.

A Cybernews report claims the unnamed cybercriminals leaked a database containing fresh intel (obtained as early as June 1, 2025).

The database contained 64 million lines, holding valuable customer information such as full names, dates of birth, tax IDs, postal addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, device IDs, cookie IDs, and IP addresses.

False claims

This kind of data is extremely valuable to cybercriminals, who can use it to create specially crafted, personalized phishing emails, tricking the victims into sharing login credentials, banking info, and other vital data. These attacks can result in identity theft, wire fraud, and ransomware attacks.

Responding to a Cybernews inquiry, T-Mobile said the data had nothing to do with it: “Any reports of a T-Mobile data breach are inaccurate. We have reviewed the sample data provided and can confirm the data does not relate to T-Mobile or our customers," the company's representative told the publication.

The Cybernews team analyzed the data, but could not confirm its authenticity. It said that some data, such as phone numbers, appeared in earlier T-Mobile links, but said it was impossible to verify the archive with 100% accuracy. We also don’t know if 64 million lines means 64 million people.

“If this data is legitimate, exposing 64M lines of highly sensitive information poses a serious threat of identity theft/fraud, surveillance, and further, better-targeted attacks on customers,” the team said.

This is not the first time T-Mobile denied having been breached. Roughly a year ago, an infamous threat actor known as IntelBroker claimed to have broken into T-Mobile and stolen Source code, SQL files, Images, Terraform data, t-mobile.com certifications, and Siloprograms. T-Mobile denied the claims.

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• T-Mobile is introducing satellite coverage to its plans in July
• The T-Satellite service is now in beta and free to try
• Most modern phones are compatible

T-Mobile has launched a nationwide beta for its new satellite phone service, allowing users to stay connected in areas without traditional cell coverage.

Called T-Satellite, the feature connects automatically when you're out of range of cellular networks, enabling basic connectivity in remote locations. The beta is currently free to join and open to anyone, regardless of carrier, through the end of July.

During the beta, users will be able to send and receive texts, make calls, and access data via satellite. You can sign up for the beta now by providing an email address with no special hardware required - according to the T&C's, most modern smartphones will be eligible.

T-Mobile is planning on rolling out the T-Satellite service at no extra cost with the carrier's high-end Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans at some point in July this year. Customers who opt into the Experience More plan now will receive satellite coverage for free through the end of the year.

Also available on other carriers

Interestingly, the carrier's T-Satellite service will also be available to customers on other networks, including both Verizon and AT&T.

While the initial beta period is free to all, the service will be available at an introductory price of $10 per month. According to the FAQ, that will equate to a $5/mo saving in total. Note, as of writing, the carrier has not confirmed how long the introductory pricing will be available.

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• The best T-Mobile deals for June 2025

• T-Mobile offers free Smart VPN and satellite broadband with refreshed business plans
• Experience Beyond boosts mobile hotspot data to 300GB plus free satellite texting until 2024
• New Experience plans promise locked pricing on talk, text, and data through 2029

T-Mobile is stepping up its business offerings by giving customers free Smart VPN protection and satellite broadband access with new plans.

For small business customers, the new Experience More for Business and Experience Beyond for Business plans include free access to Secure Wi-Fi. This Smart VPN service protects users on public networks, and automatically activates when a secure connection is needed.

On top of that, Experience Beyond for Business raises mobile hotspot data limits to 300GB, supporting businesses that rely on flexible work setups.

T-Satellite with Starlink

One of the bigger additions is free access to T-Satellite with Starlink through the end of 2025.

This service offers satellite connectivity directly to smartphones, letting users send text messages even in areas where there is no traditional cellular coverage.

T-Mobile claims customers only need to see the sky to stay connected, with a full service launch expected in July 2025.

"Since 2020, people have seen more than a 20% increase on the price of everyday essentials. We know value and savings matter more than ever right now, and we’re giving customers just that with these new plans — in addition to peace of mind knowing the price of their plan will stay the same for the next five years," said Jon Freier, President, T-Mobile Consumer Group.

"At T-Mobile, we’ve always been focused on giving people the best value, network and experience — and our new plans deliver on this, including the Magenta Status treatment and benefits our customers love."

The new plans will be available starting April 23 2025, and come with a five-year price lock on talk, text, and data, adding more predictability for businesses.

Families and individuals switching to T-Mobile may also find extra offers, including device trade-in credits and discounted monthly rates.

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The carrier T-Mobile has just announced a five-year price guarantee on all of its 5G mobile plans this week - a useful promotion available to both new and existing customers renewing a plan.

Even though the carrier's unlimited cellular plans usually run over a two-year period, this could be a useful option if you're looking to insulate your budget from inflation or any other unwelcome surprises. Note, however, that it doesn't extend to any additional taxes or fees, which are always worth considering before you sign up.

It's also worth noting that T-Mobile isn't the first carrier to announce a price guarantee. Just last week Verizon announced a three-year guarantee so there are plenty of options right now. As of writing, there's been nothing from AT&T but I wouldn't be surprised if this carrier announced something similar soon either.

Are you looking to bundle your plan with a shiny new phone? I've attached a number of the best T-Mobile deals on the latest devices below.

New T-Mobile five year price guarantee

This week's best T-Mobile deals

T-Mobile debuted a brand new promotion for new customers this week, one which not only gives them a huge financial incentive to switch but also potentially a free iPhone 16 with one of the carrier's post-paid plans.

Dubbed 'Family Freedom', this deal gives new customers a prepaid card of up to $3,200 in value to pay off any switching fees, up to four lines on an unlimited plan with multi-line savings, and up to four iPhone 16 devices for free with an eligible trade.

If you were thinking about making the switch over to T-Mobile, then this is easily one of the best deals for a while. With four lines in particular, then you can sign-up for the 'Essentials' plan for $100/mo. That's just $25/mo per line for a plan that still features unlimited talk, text, and 50GB of premium 5G data before you hit any speed bumps.

Note, if you're an existing T-Mobile customer, then you can still get your hands on the cheap plan and free iPhone 16. You won't, however, be eligible for the massive prepaid card that's being bundled in with the above promotion. That's eligible for switchers only right now.

T-Mobile's new Family Free deal

• See more: check out all of today's deals at T-Mobile

Already a customer?

• T-Mobile has opened a public US beta for Starlink satellite connectivity
• You don’t need to be a T-Mobile customer to sign up
• The service is free to test until July

T-Mobile has just announced you’ll now be able to access Starlink connectivity for free from your iPhone or Android device. The feature has just entered public beta and can be used by anyone who has a compatible device (see below for a full list), even if you're a customer with a different mobile carrier.

Once you’ve signed up, your phone will be able to automatically connect to Starlink’s satellite network. This lets you send and receive iMessages and SMS texts when Wi-Fi and cellular service are unavailable. T-Mobile says that support for voice calls and mobile data will arrive at a later date.

The service is free for now with limited spots available, and approved testers will get access until July. After that, any T-Mobile customer on the Go5G Next plan (or other eligible plan) will continue to receive Starlink connectivity for free. Other T-Mobile customers will pay $15 a month, while anyone else with a different carrier will pay $20 a month.

And in a welcome bonus, T-Mobile says that any of its customers who register for the beta before the end of February will get a discount of $10 per month starting in July.

Seeing stars

Apple users already have free access to satellite connectivity, although this is provided by Globalstar, not Starlink. Apple initially limited this to contacting emergency services, but it can now be used to send iMessages and SMS texts to anyone when you don’t have Wi-Fi or cellular service. Unlike Starlink, Apple users need to point their device at the sky to connect to a satellite.

Apple says that any users of T-Mobile’s Starlink offering will see the letters “SAT” in their device’s status bar when they’re connected to a satellite. If you want to use your device with Starlink, Apple says you’ll need a phone from the iPhone 14, iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 ranges, the latest version of iOS, and service from a compatible carrier (note that some carriers might require a specific supported cellular plan).

As for Android, T-Mobile says its Starlink service will work with "most smartphones from the last four years". A full list of compatible devices is below. So, the next time you’re out in the wilderness without a reliable mobile connection, you’ll have one more option at your disposal. You never know, it could end up saving the day.

These phones that are compatible with T-Mobile Starlink at the time of writing:

• Apple iPhone 14 and later (including Plus, Pro & Pro Max)
• Google Pixel 9 (including Pro, Pro Fold, & Pro XL)
• Motorola 2024 and later (including razr, razr+, edge and g series)
• Samsung Galaxy A14, A15, A16, A35, A53, A54
• Samsung Galaxy S21 and later (including Plus, Ultra and Fan Edition)
• Samsung Galaxy X Cover6 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 and later
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and later
• REVVL 7 (including Pro)

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• While some TikToks are claiming iOS 18.3 installs Starlink on your iPhone, that is not the case
• In the US, Starlink connectivity is only available on T-Mobile and in beta
• iOS 18.3 doesn't install this connectivity, but does make a network change

iOS 18.3 is here – and contrary to rumors being spread on TikTok and elsewhere, it doesn’t install Elon Musk’s Starlink tech on your iPhone. So, there’s no reason not to get the latest iOS update on your iPhone and ensure that you’re up to date.

iOS 18.3 is a relatively minor update, which mostly impacts Apple Intelligence – enabling the AI features by default and rolling out some fixes for Notification Summaries – and fixing several bugs. It does, however, make a change for T-Mobile customers by allowing the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 lineups to potentially connect to the Starlink-powered terrestrial network of the carrier.

It is not, however, allowing that connection by default, and T-Mobile’s partnership with Starlink is still in beta for a select few customers who opt to join it and then get selected to participate. Apple doesn’t have a partnership with Starlink, but T-Mobile does, and you need to opt in a few ways. Let’s unpack this ahead.

The myth: iOS 18.3 installs Starlink on your iPhone

The concern in the now viral TikToks is that the latest version of iOS basically adds a direct connection to Starlink to your iPhone. The main point of concern is that ‘Starlink can now work with iPhone and access it’ without any formal announcement from Apple on if it’s a mandatory connection.

Apple initially launched its Emergency SOS via Satellite service alongside the iPhone 14 – with support for the iPhone 15 and 16 – so the smartphones could connect to a satellite. However, it’s not on by default and is only engaged when no LTE or Wi-Fi network is available.

Since then, some carriers have offered satellite networks alongside a typical phone network. T-Mobile is doing that, and it initially announced its partnership with Starlink in August 2022.

Apple also updated a support page detailing how to turn off carrier-powered satellite features. To do this, open Settings, navigate to Cellular, select your carrier, and turn off ‘Satellite.’

Simply, though, iOS 18.3 does not install Starlink on the iPhone. Essentially, it is packaged within iOS 18.3 as a carrier network settings update for T-Mobile that allows for the connection. It is not on by default, though, and you need to be selected to join the beta after requesting a spot.

The reality: T-Mobile has a partnership with Starlink that is currently in beta and iOS 18.3 is safe to install

So no, iOS 18.3 does not add a direct line to the Starlink network – forced or unforced – as some viral TikToks claim. It makes network settings changes that allow T-Mobile-connected iPhone 14, 15, or 16 to connect to T-Mobile 1900MHz spectrum, accessed through antenna ‘band 25’ on the iPhone to access the Starlink network.

Even for that network connection to happen, you need to have an eligible T-Mobile plan, register for the beta, and be selected to participate in it. Then, you need to be in an area where that network is supported and when a typical cellular network or Wi-Fi is unavailable. You’ll know that is the case when you see “SAT” replace the standard cellular bars and “4G,” “5G,” or “5G UW” in the top right corner of your iPhone.

T-Mobile opened its Starlink network beta program in December 2024, and interested customers have been able to register for it. It was first available to Android smartphones, and then the capability for the iPhone rolled out with iOS 18.3.

The partnership and the ability for T-Mobile devices to connect to Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology aims to reduce dead zones and allow users to stay connected. T-Mobile is also the only cellular network in the United States to have this partnership with Starlink.

Apple’s satellite connectivity for its iPhone under the ‘Emergency SOS’ feature is not Starlink and is done through a partnership with Globalstar.

Furthermore, it’s also best practice to keep your iPhone and other devices up to date, as using older software can make them more susceptible to security and privacy issues. iOS 18.3, like most iOS updates, brings some new features but also, at times, critical bug fixes and important security patches.

So, long story short, iOS 18.3 does not add a direct connection to Starlink to your iPhone. It simply allows a T-Mobile-connected iPhone to use that network when you're outside of traditional coverage if you’ve opted into the beta and have been selected. It’s also a partnership between T-Mobile and Starlink – Apple isn’t involved there and it doesn't have any impact or change to Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite functionality. That service has been using Globalstar satellites since its inception.

If you’re on T-Mobile and want to opt out of using Starlink, open Settings on your iPhone, click Cellular, select your Carrier (in this case, T-Mobile), and turn off Satellite.

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• Apple, T-Mobile and SpaceX are reportedly teaming up to bring Starlink to iPhone users
• This would add another satellite connectivity option for Apple fans
• It’s currently in beta testing for small numbers of T-Mobile customers

Apple has offered satellite connectivity to its iPhone users for a couple years now, and it can help you out when you don’t have access to cell service. But that soon might not be the only type of satellite connection on offer to iPhone users, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The website claims that Apple is in talks with SpaceX and T-Mobile US to add support for Starlink’s satellite network. In fact, the latest iOS 18.3 update, which was released on January 27, apparently contains “under-the-radar” support for Starlink, Bloomberg says.

Bloomberg describes this as a possible alternative to Apple’s own satellite service, and says the companies have been covertly testing iPhones equipped with Starlink connectivity.

As the report points out, the move comes as something of a surprise. Apple already has a satellite provider in Globalstar, while T-Mobile has previously only offered Starlink to Samsung users. Yet T-Mobile has recently begun allowing iPhone users to access Starlink as part of a beta test, signaling that a broader change is on the way.

In a message sent to beta users, T-Mobile says: “You’re in the T-Mobile Starlink beta. You can now stay connected with texting via satellite from virtually anywhere,” while also specifying the iOS 18.3 requirement. If you’re part of the beta, you’ll see a new toggle in the Settings app to manage Starlink connectivity. T-Mobile told Bloomberg that “the vast majority of modern smartphones” will soon support the feature.

What this means

Support for Starlink could give iPhone users another option for satellite connectivity, and might provide an alternative if they can’t connect to Globalstar’s network. It also sounds like it might have more applicable uses than Globalstar’s option, which is mostly limited to emergency contacts and contacting first responders for now.

SpaceX owner Elon Musk seemed to confirm the Starlink-Apple link-up in a post on X. Commenting on a post made about the partnership, Musk said that “Medium resolution images, music & audio podcasts should work with the current generation Starlink direct-to-phone constellation.” He also added that “Next generation constellation will do medium resolution video.”

For now, Starlink only works with text messages on iPhones, but support for data and video calls is apparently in the works. It’s also limited to the US, in contrast to Apple’s Globalstar partnership, which works in several nations. Unlike Globalstar, however, you don’t need to point your phone to the sky to connect to Starlink, and it should even work when your phone is in your pocket.

Most of the best iPhones support Starlink connectivity, Bloomberg reports, with the feature also coming to the Apple Watch Ultra “later this year.” So, make sure to keep your eyes on the skies as further details emerge.

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• A 2021 T-Mobile data leak exposed millions of customer's data
• Washington State is now suing the telecoms giant
• The suit alleges that T-Mobile failed to protect and notify customers

The US state of Washington is taking legal action against telecommunications giant T-Mobile over consumer protections failures following a 2021 data breach which exposed up to 79 million consumers worldwide, including the social security numbers of almost 184,000 customers in the state.

As part of Washington’s lawsuit, the state claims T-Mobile failed to ‘adequately secure sensitive personal information of more than 2 million Washingtonians’. This failure, the state claims, left those consumers vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.

The suit claims that the breach was ‘entirely avoidable’ and explains T-Mobile had years to fix key vulnerabilities in its cybersecurity systems, and failed to properly address them. A lack of security monitoring meant T-Mobile was unaware of the breach.

T-Mobile customers mislead

The suit alleges T-Mobile deliberately downplayed the severity of the breach to affected consumers, and omitted critical information, which in turn affected customer’s ability to ‘adequately assess their risk of identity theft or fraud’.

The firm sent out texts to affected customers, but failed to include legally required information. Customers who didn’t have their card details or social security numbers compromised were informed of such, but those who did, weren’t given any information about the exposure.

According to the suit, T-Mobile used ‘weak credentials’ and an ‘easily guessable username and password’, and the exposed data appeared for sale on the dark web almost immediately after it was stolen.

T-Mobile has recently agreed to pay an over $15 million penalty to the FCC as part of a settlement deal following a string of high-profile data breaches between 2021 and 2023. The company was also ordered to make significant changes to its cybersecurity infrastructure, and adopt more robust identity and access management frameworks.

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• More victims of Salt Typhoon attack unveiled by WSJ
• The extent of the damage caused by the attack is still unknown
• Some telecoms providers have removed the attackers from their systems

The recent Salt Typhoon cyberattacks may have breached more telecommunications providers than previously thought, with Charter Communications, Consolidated Communications, and Windstream all now believed to also have been affected.

The fresh list of victims comes from a new report by the Wall Street Journal, who cited people familiar with the matter.

The attack also exploited Fortinet network devices that did not have up-to-date security software installed, as well as vulnerable Cisco large network routers.

Attack may have started in 2023

The attack against US telecoms providers was first publicized in a joint statement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on October 25, 2024 - however, the WSJ report states the attack is believed to have started as far back as fall of 2023 - around the same time US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was briefing telecom and tech executives on the depth and breadth of Chinese penetration into US critical infrastructure.

Salt Typhoon is now known to have successfully breached the networks of AT&T and Verizon in the attack, but little is known about what data the China-affiliated group was able to access.

Both Lumen and T-Mobile were also targeted during the attack, but both companies have said that they successfully stopped attackers from accessing sensitive customer information. Verizon confirmed that the data of a limited number of high-profile individuals involved in politics was targeted in attacks.

Salt Typhoon also gained access to a ‘lawful interception’ channel used by law enforcement agencies to perform court-ordered wiretaps for national security purposes, with China repeatedly denying any involvement in the attacks and accusing the US of spreading misinformation. China even went so far as to label Volt Typhoon - a similar group believed to be associated with Beijing - as a CIA asset set up to discredit the US’ rivals across the Pacific.

Both Fortinet and Cisco did not comment on the WSJ report, but both organizations have been in the cross hairs of cyber attacks from a range of cyber criminal groups.

Network routers with outdated firmware have been a favorite target as an initial access point for attackers and botnets for several years. Fortinet has also experienced a spate of attacks on its Windows VPN service and Fortigate VPN systems.

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T-Mobile has unveiled enhanced Internet Backup plans for both home and small businesses which aim to give users a reliable and affordable 5G network in the event of an outage of the primary network.

However, the irony of this launch is it came on the same day that the company suffered its largest outage of 2024, which disrupted services for users across various regions in the United States.

The outage left millions of users disconnected for almost five hours, and confirmed the need for a reliable backup solution.

Backup solution for downtime

According to T-Mobile, the Home and Small Business Internet Backup plans are offering users more robust tools to maintain connectivity during ISP outages. These plans are not meant to replace, but rather complement, traditional cable or fiber internet services.

Each plan includes 130GB of 5G data per month, which is sufficient to keep most households or small businesses online for up to seven days during disruptions. The latest update introduces an additional three free 130GB data passes per year, which can be activated during extended outages lasting either three days or until the data is consumed.

The T-Mobile 5G gateway can be set up in under 15 minutes, ensuring a quick transition to backup connectivity when primary services go offline. These plans do not include any hidden fees, which means that the 5G gateway is provided at no additional cost.

T-Mobile is also offering the Nimble Champ Pro 20k 65W portable power station at a discounted price of $49.99 for new customers to help keep devices and the 5G gateway online during blackouts.

T-Mobile’s massive November outage cast a spotlight on the vulnerabilities of even the largest telecom providers. While the company has long promoted its 5G network as a robust and reliable option, the scale of this service disruption reminded customers of the potential for unexpected failures. This incident also highlights how critical internet access is in an era where remote work, virtual learning, and online business operations are routine.

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Starlink has taken a big step forward in the battle to combat so-called cellular ‘dead zones’ where a phone signal can’t be obtained, using satellites to provide the necessary coverage for areas where a mobile network can’t reach.

Over in the US, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given the thumbs-up to Starlink to use its satellites in a partnership with T-Mobile, giving users on that network coverage for remote locations.

The Verge reports that this direct-to-cell satellite service is the first such collaboration between a satellite operator and cellular network to be green-lit by the FCC.

The FCC said: “The Commission recognized that satellite-to-device connectivity can support critical public interest benefits, including ubiquitous connectivity, access to 911 service from remote areas, technological advancement, and innovative spectrum use.”

Starlink and T-Mobile already got temporary clearance in October, The Verge points out, to provide service to those hit by Hurricane Helene. However, this is the FCC granting Starlink a full US commercial license for its direct-to-cell program.

Starlink first tested this satellite solution back in January 2024, just after the initial satellites were launched by SpaceX.

Ben Longmier, Senior Director of Satellite Engineering at SpaceX, further observed that: “Any telco that signs up with Starlink Direct to Cell can completely eliminate cellular dead zones for their entire country for text and data services.”

Initially, just basic text capabilities are going to be provided, and support for data or voice isn’t expected to debut until next year.

Analysis: First texts – then video chats?

Bringing cellular (and internet) coverage to remote areas where there’s no phone signal at all is a challenging problem, so it’s good to see what appears to be a viable solution moving forward to be commercially deployed.

While, as noted, this direct-to-cell satellite system can deliver text and internet services in areas not served by terrestrial cellular coverage, there’s some controversy as to where to draw the line in terms of extending this mission to facilitate real-time voice or even video calls.

Obviously, that’s ramping up the stakes bandwidth-wise, and The Verge notes that this would mean SpaceX going above current power flux-density limits – which mobile operators (AT&T and Verizon) in the US are concerned could interfere with their existing network coverage.

Meanwhile, in a similar vein on the other side of the Atlantic, there’s been a collaboration between Deutsche Telekom, Qualcomm, and Skylo, combining a mobile operator’s cellular network (Deutsche Telekom) with a satellite network (Skylo) and sending a text this way – for the first time ever in Europe (using a Qualcomm Snapdragon 5G modem).

Phone Arena noticed this development and informs us that it’s just a proof-of-concept at this point, but it’s a solid step forward towards commercializing the same kind of satellite service for remote areas in Europe. The report points out another challenge, aside from providing enough bandwidth for heavier duty services like voice or video – namely the weather and its interference with satellite coverage.

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• T-Mobile details how Salt Typhoon accessed its routers
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• T-Mobile's CSO stresses hackers didn't steal any data

T-Mobile has revealed the hackers who recently targeted its infrastructure were seen running commands on its routers, but stressed its defenses worked as intended and that no major damage was done.

The declaration follows recent news of an incident where Salt Typhoon, an infamous Chinese state-sponsored threat actor, breached T-Mobile's network in a cyber-espionage campaign on behalf of the country’s government.

The FBI also recently confirmed the group had successfully gained access to networks and private communications of members of the US government.

Working as intended

Now, T-Mobile’s Chief Security Officer, Jeff Simon, told Bloomberg the attackers were spotted while running commands, usually used in the reconnaissance stage of a cyberattack, on company routers. Some of the commands used matched indicators of compromise previously linked to Salt Typhoon, he added.

At the same time, Simon published a blog post in which he said the company’s defenses worked as intended, so Salt Typhoon was unable to cause any significant damage, or steal any sensitive customer or company information.

"Many reports claim these bad actors have gained access to some providers' customer information over an extended period of time – phone calls, text messages, and other sensitive information, particularly from government officials. This is not the case at T-Mobile," Simon said.

"Our defenses protected our sensitive customer information, prevented any disruption of our services, and stopped the attack from advancing. Bad actors had no access to sensitive customer data (including calls, voicemails, or texts).”

Simon also said that the attack originated from a wireline provider’s network that was connected to T-Mobile. "We quickly severed connectivity to the provider's network as we believe it was – and may still be – compromised."

After blocking the access, T-Mobile said it now sees no additional attacker activity, suggesting Salt Typhoon abandoned the initiative. In any case, the information was shared with government and industry partners.

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• T-Mobile has joined the list of Salt Typhoon victims
• Salt Typhoon has been heavily targeting the telecommunications sector
• No evidence has been found to suggest customer data access

T-Mobile has joined the growing list of US telecom operators who have been breached by Salt Typhoon.

The company confirmed in a statement to the Wall Street Journal that while a breach had occurred, there was no evidence to suggest the attackers had accessed or exfiltrated any customer data.

“T-Mobile is closely monitoring this industry-wide attack, and at this time, T-Mobile systems and data have not been impacted in any significant way, and we have no evidence of impacts to customer information. We will continue to monitor this closely, working with industry peers and the relevant authorities,” the company said in its statement.

Salt Typhoon continues attack

Salt Typhoon has been conducting a broad attack against US and Canadian telecommunications companies and internet service providers in what is thought to be a critical infrastructure mapping and espionage campaign.

The FBI recently confirmed the group had successfully gained access to networks and private communications of members of the US government.

The US government has also issued a warning through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for its workers to avoid using personal cell phones for work purposes, stating, “While there is no evidence that CFPB has been targeted by this unauthorized access, I ask for your compliance with these directives so we reduce the risk that we will be compromised.”

In a further statement to BleepingComputer, T-Mobile added, “Due to our security controls, network structure and diligent monitoring and response we have seen no significant impacts to T-Mobile systems or data. We have no evidence of access or exfiltration of any customer or other sensitive information as other companies may have experienced.”

The group is widely recognized as a Chinese state-sponsored threat actor and the campaign is thought to be a mapping and vulnerability hunting campaign for future attacks.

Other telecommunications companies affected by the same campaign include AT&T, Lumen Technologies, and Verizon, with the attackers potentially having access to customer data and networks for several months. A network used by US authorities to submit requests pursuant to court orders was also breached.

A roundup of T-Mobile breaches by BleepingComputer puts this as the ninth since 2019, with the company suffering a number of data leaks, attacks and extortion attempts.

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If you're on T-Mobile – or an MvNO like Mint Mobile that uses its network – and experienced no service, dropped calls, or no connectivity on November 12, 2024, it likely wasn't just you.

Just a few weeks after a major Verizon outage, T-Mobile experienced a smaller outage in the Salt Lake City region of Utah. At the peak, reported outages for T-Mobile shot up to over 19,500 on Down Detector—an online tool used to track service outages from user reports—with many frustrated customers leaving comments on the site.

Similarly, impacted customers are taking to X (formerly Twitter) and Threads to express frustration and seek answers from T-Mobile about the lack of service in Utah. Unlike Verizon, which impacted customers nationwide, T-Mobile only hit a smaller region due to a "brief mechanical issue" at a facility in Salt Lake City.

Ahead, you can read our live reporting on the T-Mobile outage and see the carrier's full comment on the service disruption.

Judging by social posts from impacted T-Mobile customers, this network outage is pretty widespread but also has some hotspots. More than a few folks have posted to Threads and X (formerly Twitter), calling out service issues in Utah, specifically Salt Lake City.

From Down Detector's interactive map, we can see that service disruptions are being reported in Utah as well as Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and New York City.

Along with T-Mobile's core customers, this outage is impacting MvNOs – aka mobile virtual network operators – like Mint Mobile. These carriers use T-Mobile's network – or another major carrier like Verizon or AT&T – to provide service.

TechRadar's Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff noted this in a post to X (formerly Twitter) and Threads. At the same time, we're seeing Mint Mobile customers flag network issues.

While less than the surge of over 19,000 reported outages for T-Mobile, Down Detector is currently showing over 1,000 reported issues for Mint Mobile. In the comments on the site, many are reporting no or minimal service in Utah.

Along with various reports on social media and Down Detector reporting T-Mobile issues in Utah as a whole, CBS affiliate KUTV in St. George, Utah, reports that a 'major event' is impacting service for the carrier and CenturyLink customers.

T-Mobile reportedly confirmed the service outage, and KUTV wrote that "the event impacted four cell towers," but additional details are not yet available. There is also no estimate for service restoration, but judging from previous outages for AT&T and Verizon, it can take several hours to return to normal.

While T-Mobile has yet to comment publicly on the ongoing network issues, customers are attempting to get support on X via the @TMobileHelp account. It's currently being flooded with many messages and mostly canned, scripted responses asking the customers to "direct message" them.

Many of these are about issues in Utah, specifically Salt Lake City, with @TMobileHelp even trying to figure out why one customer is on WiFi calling versus cellular. That's a good thing in the event of a cellular outage, as with the feature enabled, you'll still be able to make calls on WiFi.

While reports on Down Detector did surge to over 19,000 for T-Mobile, reported outages for the wireless carrier are beginning to slow down. As of 3:23 PM ET, there were above 5,600 reported outages—a smaller sum, but still indicating a larger pool of issues than to be expected on a normal day.

The site's comments still point to service disruptions in South Salt Lake City, West Jordan, Ogden, and Sandy City Utah. Signaling that this state, along with the earlier report of four cell towers being impacted, is the main affected area.

Even with many reported outages and folks commenting on social media about issues with T-Mobile, others note that it is business as usual.

It's likely that if you have a newer iPhone or Android phone and are experiencing T-Mobile's outage, you might have noticed that your network bars in the top right corner have been replaced by the word "SOS" and an icon depicting a satellite. This means your device has no cellular connectivity, but if you need to reach emergency services or send a message, you can use the device's satellite connectivity to get through.

You can see our guide to using satellite messaging here, but there is a good chance you'll see this icon for the first time during a network outage.

After a flurry of reported outages, reaching nearly 20,000 on Down Detector, it seems that T-Mobile's network is returning ... for some. Several commenters on Down Detector and social media platforms like Threads and X have noted that service is returning.

One customer, Kent J Barnes, wrote, "Back on line in Murray, UT Hope it lasts" on Down Detector, with others saying service is back in Salt Lake City. These reports of service returning come as reports on the site continue to drop, sitting at 1,848 as of 3:52PM ET.

T-Mobile is back up

T-Mobile has responded to TechRadar and confirmed that the network issue is now resolved. The carrier has noted that it was not a "major outage" and only impacted customers in the Salt Lake City area.

Here is the full statement from T-Mobile: "A facility in the Salt Lake area had a brief mechanical issue that impacted connectivity for some customers in that market, but this is now resolved and service is restored. We apologize for the inconvenience."

It seems the culprit for the outage was a mechanical issue, but the good news is that the service is restored. If you're on T-Mobile, it can't hurt to restart your phone.

T-Mobile has settled its case with the US Federal Communications Commission regarding multiple cybersecurity incidents and data breaches between 2021 and 2023.

Under the settlement, the company will pay a multi-million dollar penalty, and will have to significantly revamp its cybersecurity infrastructure.

The FCC said its investigation determined the cyberattacks T-Mobile experienced resulted in data breaches, “which affected millions of cell phone customers, were varied in their nature, exploitations, and apparent methods of attack.” As a result, the company will have to pay a $15.75 million civil penalty to the US Treasury.

Critical step

As part of the ruling, T-Mobile will have to make significant changes to its cybersecurity infrastructure, including moving to a zero-trust network architecture (ZTNA), which the FCC describes as, “one of the most important changes organizations can make to improve their security posture.”

The company's CISO will also have to regularly brief the board regarding T-Mobile’s cybersecurity posture and business risks, and it must also broadly adopt robust identity and access management, which includes multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.

For the FCC, this is a “critical step in securing critical infrastructure”.

To address these issues, and make the necessary changes, T-Mobile will invest roughly $15.75 million, the announcement adds.

“The wide-ranging terms set forth in today’s settlement are a significant step forward in protecting the networks that house the sensitive data of millions of customers nationwide,” said Loyaan A. Egal, Chief of the Enforcement Bureau and Chair of the Privacy and Data Protection Task Force.

“With companies like T-Mobile and other telecom service providers operating in a space where national security and consumer protection interests overlap, we are focused on ensuring critical technical changes are made to telecommunications networks to improve our national cybersecurity posture and help prevent future compromises of Americans’ sensitive data. We will continue to hold T-Mobile accountable for implementing these commitments.”

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An attempt by T-Mobile and SpaceX to launch Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) in the US has hit a snag after rivals AT&T and Verizon - who are also planning to offer SCS coverage - complained to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on the grounds that it could negatively impact traditional cell service.

Per Ars Technica, T-Mobile plans to use SpaceX satellites to extend its coverage in the US, while opposition also includes satellite parent companies Echostar (owners of cable company Dish and satellite internet service provider Hughes) and cellular/satelite ‘hybrid’ company Omnispace.

AT&T’s specific opposition leverages an FCC ruling on SCS (PDF) stating that it must not impact regular service, which is all well and good, but SpaceX and T-Mobile continue to maintain that suggestions that its SCS coverage will do so are based on ‘misleading claims.

He said, she said

In a joint filing with the FCC describing a meeting with executives, SpaceX and T-Mobile have asked for a waiver from the FCC’s out-of-band emissions PFD limit of -120 dBW/m2/MHz, which it describes as “inappropriately uniform” and “an order of magnitude more restrictive than necessary to protect terrestrial operations”.

To this end, the FCC filing also suggests that demonstrations of SpaceX and T-Mobile’s SCS service show that it will not adversely affect other operators, noting, “Indeed, each time that SpaceX has demonstrated that it would not cause harmful interference to other operators—often based on those parties' own claimed assumptions—those competitors have moved the goalposts or have claimed their analysis should not have been trusted in the first place.”

The two companies are also claiming that opposition from competitors is based on stifling competition in the first place.

“These operators' shapeshifting arguments and demands should be seen for what they are: last-minute attempts to block a more advanced supplemental coverage partnership and siphon sensitive information to aid their own competing efforts. The Commission must not allow competitive gamesmanship to stand in the way of lifesaving service for American consumers.”

Despite plans for AT&T to offer SCS coverage in collaboration with AST SpaceMobile, the National Advertising Review Board (NARB) did, earlier this month, order the company to stop running ads suggesting that this functionality was already in place, given that it wasn’t, and, at time of writing, still isn’t.

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The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), part of the US Department of the Treasury, has announced (via Reuters) its largest ever penalty against T-Mobile in response to the network provider’s failure to prevent and report unauthorized access to sensitive data.

The $60 million fine concerns T-Mobile's violation of a mitigation agreement relating to its $23 billion acquisition of Sprint in 2020.

The multibillion-dollar fine was issued to penalize the company for technical issues that occurred in 2020 and 2021.

T-Mobile fined for technical issues four years ago

The fine doesn’t just relate to the occurrence of the technical issues, but also T-Mobile’s delay in reporting them, which the CFIUS says hindered its ability to address potential national security risks.

T-Mobile blamed the problems on its integration with the Sprint network. The company, majority-owned by Germany’s Deutsche Telekom, emphasized that the technical problems only affected data shared from a small number of law enforcement information requests.

The network provider asserted that the issues were reported “in a timely manner” and resolved quickly.

However, the unprecedented size of the fine and the decision to share details publicly highlight the Committee’s emphasis on enforcement. The $60 million fine now serves as a stark warning to other companies about the importance of complying with regulations and obligations.

Moreover, the CFIUS has been increasing the pressure in recent years, issuing more penalties than previously.

T-Mobile told TechRadar Pro in an email:

"Several years ago, we experienced technical issues during our post-merger integration with Sprint that affected information shared from a small number of law enforcement information requests out of the hundreds of thousands that we process each year. This was not a breach, there was no intrusion and no bad actor was involved. The noted unauthorized access was that information was sent to the wrong law enforcement agency, but it never left the law enforcement ecosystem.

"We take matters like this seriously. We reported this in a timely manner, and the issue was quickly addressed. We are glad to have reached a resolution and look forward to continuing to work cooperatively with the law enforcement community to help keep the country and our customers safe."

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Popular data leaker IntelBroker is selling a database allegedly belonging to the telecommunications giant T-Mobile, but the company has denied this is the case.

In a new post published on a dark web forum, IntelBroker said they were selling “Source code, SQL files, Images, Terraform data, t-mobile.com certifications, Siloprograms.” 

They said the breach happened in June 2024, and shared screenshots showing access with admin privileges to a Confluence server, as well as screenshots depicting the company’s Slack channels for developers.

Old screenshots

We don’t know how big the database is, or how much money the threat actor is asking for. However, T-Mobile claims its infrastructure is intact, and is currently investigating the matter further.

"T-Mobile systems have not been compromised. We are actively investigating a claim of an issue at a third-party service provider," T-Mobile shared in a statement to BleepingComputer. "We have no indication that T-Mobile customer data or source code was included and can confirm that the bad actor's claim that T-Mobile's infrastructure was accessed is false."

A source told the publication that the screenshots are old, and were posted to a third-party vendor’s server. The name of the third party is known, but given the risk of other threat actors targeting it, will remain hidden for now.

IntelBroker has made quite a name for themselves, posting data belonging to many high-profile organizations on the dark web. Recently, the same threat actor offered AMD’s files for sale: "In June 2024, AMD, a large computing company suffered a data breach. Compromised data: Future AMD products, Spec sheets, employee databases, customer databases, property files, ROMs, source code, firmware and finances," the threat actor said in the post.

Other organizations hit by the same attacker include HPE, General Electric, Home Depot, Facebook Marketplace, and many others. 

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Since Apple offered emergency satellite communications on the iPhone 14 in 2022, we've been waiting for Android phones to catch up – and it seems as though that might finally happen with the roll out of Android 15 later this year.

As reported by Android Authority, several T-Mobile customers in the US who've signed up to the Android 15 public beta on their Pixel phones are seeing new satellite messaging screens on their devices, even though the functionality hasn't gone live yet.

"You can send and receive text messages by satellite as part of an eligible T-Mobile account," reads one of the messages that have now appeared. "Your phone will auto-connect to a satellite" when a mobile network isn't available, reads another.

This neatly matches up with previous rumors that have been swirling for months at this point – in fact, satellite messaging was supposed to be making an appearance in Android 14 last year, but that never came to pass.

Hardware and software support

It's perhaps not surprising that it's taken a while for Android to catch up to iOS with satellite connectivity. Not only does it need to be integrated at the software level, it also needs to be compatible with the hardware, the carrier, and the satellite network.

These are all areas Apple has a high degree of control over, whereas Android phones involve more companies and more partnerships. Everything needs to be lined up correctly: which may or may not be the case when Android 15 launches in full later this year.

T-Mobile has been busy working with the SpaceX Starlink network to make direct-to-cell capabilities possible – satellites that can talk to standard cell phones, with no special components required. This would certainly make the tech more broadly available.

According to earlier leaks and these new screens, Android might go one better than the iPhone by letting you message any contact over satellite when you have no phone signal – not just the emergency services. Expect more news in the coming months.

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Write this down, because I’m going to tell you my secret to understanding the US mobile industry for the last 20 years. The answer to everything is 'The Carriers.' Every question, every conundrum. If you want to know why we DO have this, or DON’T have that? The answer is the US carriers: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. How has Apple managed to achieve monopoly power in the US and draw the ire of the Justice Department? The answer is the US carriers.

One of the strongest points that Apple makes in its rebuttal to the government’s lawsuit is that the government is considering only the US market, but Apple competes on a global scale. In the global market, Apple’s market share is much lower than in the US alone. It owns closer to 20% of the global market, as opposed to more than 60% of the US market.

Why is there such a huge difference? Is it because Samsung is incredibly popular everywhere else in the world? Are Google Pixel phones and Motorola Razr phones catching on like wildfire? Of course not. It’s because there are lots of phones in the rest of the world that you simply cannot buy here in the US.

Half of the Top 10 phone makers don't sell phones here

The top ten phone makers in the world include Apple, Samsung, OnePlus and Motorola. It also includes Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei, and Realme. While Oppo’s subsidiary brand OnePlus sells phones in the US, none of those latter brands are available here. Why not? Check your notes, you wrote down the answer.

It’s because of the US carriers. Okay, we can’t blame the US carriers for the US government’s ban on Huawei products (though the government hasn’t offered specific evidence to support that ban). The rest of the phones, though, are not available in the US because the carriers don’t sell them. You can find them through grey market import channels, but they won’t have a local warranty, and they may not support local networks properly.

It’s unclear why the US carriers don’t sell half of the top phone brands here in the US, and we can only add blind speculation. Is there a political motive, as all of these brands are Chinese? I’ve personally heard from a mobile industry analyst that the US government has in some way influenced the carrier decision to forego selling most new Chinese phones. That analyst wouldn’t go on the record, so I take that possibility with a huge grain of salt.

The other possibility is that it is simply cost-prohibitive for a foreign manufacturer to sell phones here. If you want to sell phones in a US carrier store, you need to work with the carriers. That means sending hundreds of devices to labs for testing, and adjusting everything on the device that fails those stringent tests.

It means a lot more localization work for each phone. The US carriers will also want a marketing commitment, or else the phones will end up on the shelves in the back, behind all the iPhones and Galaxy phones and no-name budget phones with Verizon or AT&T branding.

It is easier for US carriers to sell you an iPhone

The same motivation that keeps the US carriers from selling these competing phone brands is also what keeps the iPhone at the top of the pile. It is very easy for US carriers to sell the iPhone. Apple spends a lot of its own money on marketing, alongside whatever the carriers are spending. There are rewards and incentives for selling more iPhones, especially with AppleCare attached.

Best of all, when you have a problem with your iPhone, you don’t need to call Verizon. You can call Apple. In fact, Apple would probably prefer you call them directly.

Most companies hate customer service calls because they cost a lot of money and don’t result in more sales. Carriers will refuse to stock phones if those phones are going to cause a lot of customer service calls. That’s another reason we don’t see Chinese phones, which tend to have poor localization and language issues, in US carrier stores.

The US carriers buy more iPhones than anybody else

Apple isn’t to blame for its overwhelming market share. Instead, blame its largest customers, the ones that buy so many iPhones that Apple’s dominance is inevitable. Apple’s top customer isn’t you or me. It’s the US carriers. Apple sells millions of phones directly to US carriers, and they sell them to us.

Most people in the US still buy their phone directly from their mobile carrier. While Apple and Samsung both sell directly, and Apple even has a store in your local mall, most iPhone owners in the US bought their phone from AT&T or Verizon or T-Mobile, or one of the smaller (often wholly-owned) networks that buy bandwidth from those three. After all, the carriers give you the best deal on a new phone if you sign up for a long-term contract, and who can afford to pay hundreds upfront these days?

If there is a reason that the Apple iPhone is the dominant phone on the market, the reason is the US carriers. They sell more iPhones than Apple directly, along with the Apple Watches that keep you locked into Apple’s platform. Verizon often gives away a free watch and a free tablet if you connect all of your devices to their network; we see this deal every time a new model is launched.

Not only is Apple not solely responsible for its US market dominance, but it’s also fair to say that the US cellular market could use some scrutiny. After T-Mobile swallowed up Sprint, US customers were left with a much less competitive market.

Instead of going after Apple for dominating the market, the Justice Department should encourage the US mobile networks to offer more options in stores. The rest of the world has far more options, and the global market is more competitive. If the US carriers are the reason we don’t have the same choice as the rest of the world, maybe it’s the US carriers that are the problem, and not Apple.

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Android’s eSIM transfer tool could slowly become adopted by other carriers, allowing users an easier process when transferring contracts to new devices.

The eSIM transfer feature was introduced by Google last year at MWC (Mobile World Congress) and was initially only available on Google Pixel devices but that may have changed with the Samsung Galaxy S24.

According to Android Police, the feature was first noticed by Google Pixel 8 users, and it has now been spotted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 which could indicate the feature is no longer locked to Google Pixel devices. However, for now, the eSIM transfer tool only appears to work for eSIMs linked to T-Mobile, with no clear indication if and when other networks could adopt its use. 

As Samsung is one of the most popular Android phone manufacturers this could be a positive sign that other manufacturers and networks will jump on board to accelerate its adoption to the rest of the Android market.

The Android eSIM transfer tool should make it much easier to move your contract to a new device. Previously, you might be required to visit a store or use an app unique to your network provider, which could involve users going through the whole setup process again.

However, the standardization of the Android eSIM transfer tool could do away with individual devices' or networks’ own SIM transfer tools and existing compatibility issues by having all Android devices use Google’s eSIM transfer tool, thus ensuring smooth communication between all Android devices like eSIM transfers on Apple devices. 

What are the advantages to eSIMs?

An eSIM functions just like a physical SIM card, containing the data needed to access the carrier network but it is stored in your device instead of a removable card.

There are some advantages to using them too. For example, an eSIM can allow you to have multiple profiles on one device, e.g., for a work account and a personal account. They're useful if you're changing to a new device as you no longer have to swap cards when changing carriers. 

When you purchase a new contract you won’t have to go to a shop for a physical card or wait for its delivery, eSIMs offer the ability to buy and download your preferred package from your carrier and set it up quickly and securely by yourself. 

Other advantages of switching to eSIM could include seamlessly switching networks with just a few taps on your device. 

The shift could even change our phones, if eSIMs become the norm, then the physical space SIM cards used to inhabit on phones could be used to put in a larger battery, camera, or more effective cooling system. Also as they aren't physically SIMs, they can’t be removed if your phone is lost or stolen giving you a better chance of retrieving it.

While physical SIM cards are not extinct yet this could be a nail in the coffin for them and even be a sign that the shift to digital-only SIMs is closer than we think, but it also could be a step towards a more unified Android OS.

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In an effort to capture more SMB customers, T-Mobile has unveiled Connected Workplace, a new offering combining its nationwide 5G network, Cisco Meraki devices, and a cloud-managed networking platform.

Connected Workplace is designed to simplify the complexities of business network infrastructure, but also promises to be a more cost-effective solution than many other providers.

Besides connection to the internet, T-Mobile’s Connected Workplace will also provide installation, software licensing, a 5G gateway and Wi-Fi access points that are upgraded free of charge every three years, as part of its all-encompassing package.

T-Mobile Connected Workplace

Besides the above, T-Mobile says that Connected Workplace will include 24/7 proactive performance monitoring of both the network and connected devices, unlimited same-day configuration changes, and 24/7 support with onsite equipment repair or replacement.

Teaming up with Cisco, T-Mobile’s customers will also get Cisco Meraki cloud-managed networking solutions, access to a Cisco Meraki firewall, and an online dashboard to manage the network.

The solution is designed to prevent small and medium businesses from having to manage different suppliers’ components and multiple contracts, plans, and models. Besides simplicity, the package also delivers security under the same roof.

Mishka Dehghan, SVP, Strategy, Product, and Solutions Engineering, T-Mobile Business Group, said: “With Connected Workplace, we’ve brought together Cisco best-in-class Meraki network technologies with our award-winning 5G network to make it easier for businesses to streamline their network infrastructure, ease the burden on IT and improve operations.”

T-Mobile has not shared any information on pricing, instead stating: “Our “as-a-service” model means equipment, software licensing, professional installation, and managed services are all included in a simple, straightforward recurring monthly charge per device.”

Prospective customers can contact T-Mobile for a personalized quote now.

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SpaceX recently launched into Earth’s orbit six “Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities”. When they come online, these satellites will be able to provide cellular connectivity to every corner of the United States – even to remote locations.

This comes as part of Coverage Above and Beyond, a collaborative initiative that the company entered with T-Mobile back in 2022. It took a little while, but the program is finally bearing fruit. SpaceX explains on its website these satellites essentially function like cell phone towers thanks to an onboard “eNodeB modem”. The ultimate goal here is to effectively eliminate the existence of dead zones allowing for “mobile phone connectivity anywhere on Earth.” Something to keep in mind is the service is primarily meant for far-off locales. 

As SpaceX CEO Elon Musk states on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), the Starlink space towers can’t compete “with existing terrestrial cellular networks” on the same level.  It'll be good, but not that good.

Testing phase

Things will start off small. The ability to send text messages will roll out later this year. Then in 2025, users will be able to make phone calls, send data, and connect IoT (internet of things) devices, such as smartwatches, to the service. That’s assuming everything goes according to plan. Both companies have had to deal with multiple obstacles along the way. Not only were these satellites incredibly difficult to design and build, but government regulators also slowed down the process.

Originally, they had planned a beta test of Starlink’s remote connectivity in 2023. Obviously, that never happened probably due to pending approval from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Fortunately, the FCC did give SpaceX the green light to test their direct-to-cell satellites this past December. They have 180 days to complete their trials so we should see testing start soon although it’s unknown exactly when nor do we know if it’ll be open to the public.

Plans for expansion

The future is looking bright for the initiative. Dr. Sara Spangelo, Senior Director of Satellite Engineering at T-Mobile, states the company has plans to “rapidly [scale] up” the program to partners around the world. SpaceX is currently working with telecommunication companies in Canada, Japan, Australia, and more to get the service up and running elsewhere. Direct-to-cell connectivity won’t be exclusive to the U.S., but it does appear users there will receive it first.

SpaceX won’t be alone in this field. Amazon is developing a satellite broadband network called Project Kuiper to take on Starlink. Rockets carrying prototype Kuiper satellites are scheduled to take off within the “first half of 2024.” The European government is also looking to establish a program. Right now, it’s shopping around for the right telecom corporation to take the lead.

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Amazon may eventually offer Amazon Prime customers cheap or even free cellular service, according to a report from Bloomberg (via Yahoo). If true, the company would buy network capabilities from T-Mobile, Verizon, or even Dish Network’s Boost Infinite network and act as its own mobile virtual network operator, a so-called MVNO strategy. Amazon denies that this is happening. 

Bloomberg says that Amazon could buy airtime and offer it for $10 per month or less to Amazon Prime customers. The company might even offer cellular service to customers who don’t subscribe to Prime. This pricing would significantly undercut even the most aggressive cellular plans in the US right now. Amazon Prime currently costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. 

Unlimited prepaid plans on the major US cellular networks run around $60/month for a single line of service, and restrictions often apply. Plans only get cheaper when you add more lines. Google Fi, an MVNO service run by Google, costs $50 per month for a single line, but can be reduced to $20 per month if you have four lines of service. It is unclear how Amazon would handle families under a possible Amazon Prime MVNO.

This is still a rumor even if it makes a lot of sense

Because of the enormous sensitivity that must be involved, no party will fess up to the possible deal. Amazon denies any mobile offering, telling Bloomberg that it is “exploring adding even more benefits for Prime members, but don’t have plans to add wireless at this time.” The mobile carriers that might sell airtime to Amazon also declined to comment, except for T-Mobile. 

A T-Mobile spokesperson says:

“Amazon is a great partner to T-Mobile in many areas, and we are always interested in working more closely with our cross-town neighbors in new ways. However, we are not in discussions about inclusion of our wireless in Prime service, and Amazon has told us they have no plans to add wireless service.”

The secrecy makes sense, because this deal would be very disruptive. Right now the US mobile market lacks competition among the carriers. Ever since T-Mobile engulfed Sprint, we’ve had three carriers offering very similar plans at similar price points.

There are occasionally unique deals on new phones. Carriers also make partnerships with streaming services and offer bundles, so you might get Disney or Apple TV or Paramount Plus with your mobile plan. Amazon Prime has even been offered as a bundle option on US carrier plans, including the now-defunct Sprint.

While numerous MVNO brands have come and gone over the years, none have offered serious competition to the larger nationwide networks that control the cell towers. Some of the largest brands, like Boost Mobile and Metro, have been swallowed up by nationwide networks and used as a prepaid brand.

Amazon would offer unique competition in many ways. It already has a built-in subscriber base paying for services. It already has a robust sales channel for products like connected mobile devices. It manages returns, service, and warranty partnerships. These are usually major roadblocks to entry in the mobile network space, but Amazon has almost every base covered.

One thing remains steadfast – the carriers are in control

That said, Amazon doesn’t own cellular towers. There have been talks of Amazon building out a constellation-type satellite network, which could theoretically drive a mobile network, but that hasn’t happened yet. If Amazon, or any company, wants to become a mobile network operator, it needs to buy airtime from a major nationwide provider. 

The carriers are not fans of giving up control, no matter how large the partner. When Verizon bundles Disney Plus with its monthly plan, you are still buying your cellular plan from Verizon. We don’t see Disney making the sale, offering you Verizon service if you subscribe to Disney Plus. 

Even Apple hasn’t tried to step a toe into the mobile network battle arena. If Amazon offers mobile service with Amazon Prime, the big shakeup would be wrestling control over US customers from the US carriers. The US carriers are incredibly powerful and don’t give up without a fight.

Verizon refused to sell the iPhone for years because Apple wouldn’t give Verizon control over the software. Until the iPhone 4, every iPhone was an AT&T exclusive in the US because Apple wouldn’t load Verizon’s VZ Navigator or even a basic MyVerizon account app. Apple wouldn’t give Verizon any control, so Verizon simply refused to sell the hottest smartphone the world had ever seen. For years. And years.

Eventually, Apple beat a US carrier at its own game, and it never happened again. Every other phone company, from Samsung to Google to Motorola, all bend to the will of the US carriers. Every phone includes carrier software, and some are still locked down to a carrier network.

Amazon and the major networks will deny this is happening until the day it happens, but it makes a lot of sense, and though I’m wary of Amazon’s power, I’m also tired of the triopoly hold on US mobile networks. Three networks isn’t enough.

There hasn’t been enough competition on price or products. Amazon is already taking my money for Prime Video and free shipping. If it can offer a mobile plan for a bit more, the US carriers will need to fight very hard to win me back.

T-Mobile may say it is getting better at preventing data breaches, but it’s not yet perfected the craft. The mobile network operator has announced it discovered yet another unauthorized intrusion, but unlike the previous incidents in which millions of people were affected, this time it seems hackers only stole data from around a thousand users.

In a notification letter sent to affected customers, the company said it spotted a system intrusion in March 2023:

"The measures we have in place to alert us to unauthorized activity worked as designed and we were able to determine that a bad actor gained access to limited information from a small number of T-Mobile accounts between late February and March 2023," the letter reads.

Hundreds of victims

In total, 836 customers have had their sensitive data taken. The telecommunications giant said that different data types were stolen for different customers, but in general, here’s what was taken: Full customer names, contact information, account numbers and associated phone numbers, T-Mobile account PINs, Social Security Numbers, government IDs, dates of birth, balance due, and internal codes used by T-Mobile for customer account service.

This is still plenty of information that can be sold for profit on the black market, so affected users may want to consider using the best identity theft protection to safeguard against the worst case scenario.

To counter the threat, T-Mobile had reset account PINs for impacted customers, and offered free credit monitoring and identity theft detection services through Transunion myTrueIdentity.

BleepingComputer reached out to the company’s spokesperson for more details but they weren’t available for comment.

This is T-Mobile’s second data breach incident this year, following the January attack. At the time, the threat actors managed to abuse a vulnerable API to get away with sensitive data on 37 million customers. The breach occurred in November 2022, was spotted on January 5 and remedied within 24 hours.

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The only thing more surprising than learning that Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds had purchased an ownership stake in the new Mint Mobile was learning that his new network had some of the best mobile deals in the US mobile market. 

T-Mobile acquired the MVNO last month, and the first changes since then actually seem positive for new and existing customers. Here’s why Mint Mobile is still an astonishingly good deal. 

Mint Mobile has always run on T-Mobile’s network, but its offering was somewhat unique, halfway between a Prepaid wireless and Postpaid wireless plan. Customers can buy three, six, or twelve months in advance, and the more you buy up front, the cheaper the plan costs. 

Mint Mobile’s cheapest plan is an admirable $15 per month, if you pay $180 up front for the full year. For that price you get unlimited data, and up to 4GB of network use on the faster 5G and 4G LTE network. You can even use your phone as a mobile hotspot without an extra fee, but that data comes out of your monthly 4GB cap. After you run out of data, you just get much slower network access.

No other major US carrier offers a plan so inexpensive, even for a prepaid plan. Both AT&T and Verizon offer prepaid plans with a data cap. AT&T will give you 5GB of data, including faster 5G networking, for $30. Verizon offers a 15GB cap on its smallest prepaid plan, and you pay $45.

The big problem is that both of those plans charge extra if you run out of data, they don’t simply slow you down to 2006 network speeds.

Perhaps noticing what Mint Mobile offers, AT&T also has a prepaid plan that lets you pay for up to a year in advance. You can pay $300 for the year, or $25/month equivalent, and get 16GB of data instead of just 5GB. You get a lot more data for less if you pay up front.

T-Mobile is giving every Mint Mobile user more data

Maybe this is why T-Mobile has announced it will be improving the Mint Mobile offering. Subscribers on the 4GB plan will now get 5GB. Mint used to offer 10GB per month for $20, or 15GB per month for $25 if you pay a full year up front, similar to AT&T. Now you get 15GB or 20GB per month for the same price. 

On AT&T you get 16GB per month, but on Mint you get 20GB per month for the same yearly price. 

For subscribers on an unlimited plan, the amount of high-speed hotspot data you can use before Mint slows you down has increased. Now you can use up to 10GB of hotspot on 5G and 4G LTE networks. Other subscribers still draw hotspot data from their monthly data cap. 

New customers will find the deal available this week, and existing customers don’t need to do anything. Your cell plan will automatically get more data. It’s common for cell carriers to leave existing subscribers out of new deals, so this is great news for Mint Mobile users. 

You don’t need to pay for a full year of Mint Mobile up front. If you only want to buy three months in advance, you still only pay $45. That’s the price Verizon charges for 15GB of data on its cheapest prepaid plan, with no discount for paying for a bunch of months in advance. It’s apparent that the big carriers have their eye on Mint Mobile and are aggressively circling its price options.

What makes Mint Mobile the clear winner is that its 20GB monthly plan is a red herring. If you buy only three months at a time, the unlimited plan is cheaper. Even for a full year, unlimited data costs only $60 more than the cheaper plan with a data limit. For $360 you get a year of unlimited 5G, or for $300 you get 20GB per month. If you run out, the network runs slower, you don’t get charged extra.

More data for a lot less money, so what is Mint missing?

Streaming video is a bit of a question mark across all major carriers. On Mint Mobile, the network may try to 'optimize' your video experience, ie. downgrade the resolution to SD content to conserve data. 

We spoke with Mint Mobile CEO Aron North and he confirmed that 4K video is still available. For instance, "Any Mint user who goes to YouTube and manually switches video to 2160 will see the video at 2160," North tells us. Of course, that video will consumer considerably more data. 

Among the larger networks, only AT&T and T-Mobile, on the most expensive monthly plans, will let you stream in full 4K glory. If you pay anything less, video quality suffers. 

The other things that Mint Mobile doesn’t offer are bundles of streaming services and subscription services that only confuse your budget. Verizon throws in a fruit salad of Apple Arcade, Apple Music, Hulu, and Disney Plus.

T-Mobile currently gives you Netflix and Apple TV Plus, or possibly Paramount Plus, depending on your plan.

It’s smart for Mint Mobile to forgo these bundles, as they only confuse customers, especially when it’s time to switch. It’s easy to abandon your carrier for a better deal, only to remember a month later that your monthly plan was paying for your Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Ryan Reynolds helped T-Mobile make its original buyout announcement, and the company said that Reynolds would remain in the same capacity. Hopefully we won't lose those great Mint Mobile commercials. Even though T-Mo aims to take ownership from the MCU’s Merc with a Mouth, it’s good to see that Mint Mobile is staying friendly to customers.

To increase its customer base and marketing activities, T-Mobile US signed a legally binding agreement to buy Ka'ena and its affiliates, including prepaid brand Mint Mobile, international phone provider Ultra Mobile, and MVNA Plum, for up to $1.4 billion.

Furthermore, 39% of the acquisition price will be paid in cash, and 61% will be made in shares by the operator. According to the statement, the ultimate price will depend on Ka'ena's performance in specific time frames before and after the acquisition closes, which T-Mobile anticipates will happen later this year, barring unforeseen circumstances.

According to Bloomberg, the MVNO has been up for sale for some time, with information that a deal for Mint Mobile earlier this year was stopped.

"Extremely successful"

David Glickman and Rizwan Kassim, the founders of Mint Mobile, will join T-Mobile to oversee the brands, which should operate as a “separate business unit.”

Ryan Reynolds, an owner in part, will keep promoting Mint Mobile.

Via an MVNO deal, Mint Mobile makes use of the T-Mobile network, and in 2022, MVNA Plum will increase its wholesale relationship with the carrier. Also connected to the carrier's 5G network is Ultra Mobile.

Among other things, the agreement includes the sales, marketing, digital, and service assets of the MVNO, in addition to bringing Mint Mobile members under its roof.

The "extremely successful" digital direct-to-consumer business operated by Mint Mobile, according to T-Mobile CEO Michael Sievert, is a major appeal, and the MVNO and Ultra Mobile will profit from its "size and owner's economics" as a result.

The operator hopes to gain from Mint Mobile's direct-to-consumer marketing capabilities, and the purchase will allow all Ka'ena enterprises to provide consumers looking for low-cost tariffs with competitive pricing and a larger device selection.

T-Mobile sees prepaid services as a way to increase its total user numbers and perhaps convert more to contracts, despite the fact that it led the charts for post-paid net customer gains in Q4 2022.

Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile, according to the operator, are complementary to its other prepaid brands.

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Customers of Google Fi have been notified via email of “suspicious activity” that may have seen some lower-risk data exposed.

Somewhat ironically, Google Fi promises to be a “private and secure” phone plan that gives its subscribers access to unlimited data, end-to-end call encryption, VPN access, and more, for $50 per month (for one user). 

Maybe less secure, though, is its “primary network provider” which informed Google that a “third party system that contains a limited amount of Google Fi customer data” was at risk. The unidentified network provider is likely to be T-Mobile, given that it supports a large portion of the Google Fi network and also experienced a data breach around the same time.

Google Fi data breach

Google told its customers that data including account activation, mobile service plan details, SIM card serial numbers, and account status, are among the key areas said to be at risk.

It stresses that personally identifiable information is excluded from the breach, so anything from a customer’s name, contact details, and date of birth, to financial information and login credentials, should all be safe.

Google’s incident response team says that Google’s systems were not compromised, but that it has worked with the “primary network provider” to implement security measures.

Customers do not need to do anything, and their services continue to work as usual.

Despite this, one Reddit user claims to have received an email from Google Fi notifying them that their mobile phone service had been transferred from their SIM card to another for almost two hours.

The author discusses how their primary email account, a financial account, and an authenticator app had all been accessed by a hacker, who may have been able to bypass any SMS-based authentication and gain access to personal accounts.

Google did not immediately respond to TechRadar Pro’s request for comment on the matter.

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Via 9To5Google

T-Mobile has warned millions of its customers that a threat actor used an Application Programming Interface (API) to gain access to some of their sensitive data. 

In a warning published on the company’s website, T-Mobile tried to play down the importance of the incident, saying some “basic customer information (nearly all of which is the type widely available in marketing databases or directories)” was obtained.

The data, however, includes people’s names, billing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and account numbers, all valuable information for identity theft attacks, phishing, and similar social engineering attacks. 

Millions of victims

Passwords, payment card information, Social Security numbers, government ID numbers, as well as financial account information, remained safe, the company confirmed. It also said its investigation concluded that there was no evidence of a breach in its networks or systems. 

While the warning does not say how many people were affected by the breach, and which account types were compromised, a total of 37 million customers had their data accessed, including both prepaid and postpaid customers. 

The attack was taking place between November 25, 2022, and January 5, 2023. It was on January 6 that T-Mobile finally cut the threat actors’ access.

The company reported the attack to both law enforcement and federal agencies in the United States, whose investigation is now ongoing, it was said. T-Mobile also added that it started notifying customers who might have had their data compromised. 

The German telecommunications giant’s track record for data breaches is far from ideal. The company’s had multiple incidents over the years, including one in 2018, one in 2019, and at least three in 2020. In 2021, it was found that the company paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to not have its sensitive data leaked to the web, which happened anyway, and a year later, in 2022, confirmed being targeted by the Lapsus$ extortion gang. 

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Via: BleepingComputer