June 23 (Reuters) - T-Mobile will introduce a

data service on its satellite-to-cell network, powered by

SpaceX's Starlink, at the start of October, the company's head

of marketing, strategy and products said during a live event in

Bellevue.

Over 1.8 million customers have signed up for the service

since its beta program launch at the end of 2024, including

"hundreds of thousands of customers from AT&T ( T ) and Verizon," Mike

Katz said on Monday.

T-Satellite will commercially launch on July 23, with SMS

texting, MMS, picture messaging and short audio clips. On

October 1, it will launch a data service to allow application

experiences on the satellite network.

With over 657 Starlink satellites supporting customers with

the service, the U.S. wireless carrier is looking to eliminate

mobile dead zones and extend connectivity to more than 500,000

square miles in the U.S. that traditional cell towers can't

reach, including those of Verizon and AT&T ( T ).

"The vast majority of signups was after we did the Super

Bowl ad," Katz told Reuters in an interview.

Katz said that the satellite beta adoption has been fairly

balanced between the top 100 markets and small town rural areas

in the U.S.

T-Satellite will be included at no extra cost with

T-Mobile's new "Experience Beyond" plan. For others - including

AT&T ( T ) and Verizon customers - the service will be available for

$10 per month.

T-Mobile said that it anticipates satellite-enabled apps

from AccuWeather, AllTrails, Apple, Google, WhatsApp and X,

among many others in the future.