T-Mobile outage tests limits of Starlink-backed backup network

A nationwide T-Mobile outage left customers without service for hours, prompting questions about the Starlink-backed T-Satellite backup. Some users reported difficulties connecting to T-Satellite during the outage, while others managed to connect; T-Mobile frames T-Satellite as a complementary feature rather than a replacement for cellular service, and CEO Srini Gopalan has cited extremely low usage (about 0.0002–0.0003% of total network traffic). Starlink connectivity also requires a clear view of the sky, which can limit access in certain locations.