Jan 28 (Reuters) - Apple's ( AAPL ) iPhone devices are

now eligible to test SpaceX-owned Starlink's direct-to-cell

capability that provides coverage from space, according to

T-Mobile, a partner in the program.

T-Mobile and Elon Musk's SpaceX are currently testing the

Starlink cell network on a trial basis after receiving approval

from the Federal Communications Commission in November last

year.

The trial offers 'text via satellite', while voice and data

features will be added in the future, according to the T-Mobile

website.

T-Mobile initially only listed a few Android smartphones as

eligible devices to test the network, but has now added iPhone

devices with the latest iOS 18.3 software update.

Bloomberg News first reported on Tuesday that Apple ( AAPL ), SpaceX

and T-Mobile had been secretively working to add support for the

network in its latest iPhone software.

Apple ( AAPL ) and SpaceX did not immediately respond to Reuters'

requests for comment outside regular business hours.

In October last year, the FCC had allowed SpaceX and

T-Mobile to enable Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell

capability to provide coverage for cellphones in areas of North

Carolina hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

(Reporting by Ojasvi Gupta and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru;

Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)