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Need More Coverage in Remote Places? Starlink Beta is here now

What is Starlink?

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX (yes, that guy– you may know him from other stuff recently). The program consists of thousands of small satellites orbiting Earth to deliver high-speed internet access globally. The primary goal of Starlink is to bring internet to remote regions and improve connectivity in cities with coverage issues.

Standard Starlink Service

The standard Starlink service is designed for users who require reliable internet connectivity. Here are the details:

  • Starlink is currently available for beta in numerous countries, with coverage expanding regularly.
  • Speed: Users can expect speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 150 Mbps, with latency between 20 ms to 40 ms.

Starlink and Wireless Services: Current Interaction

Currently, Starlink operates independently but complements traditional wireless services like AT&T and Verizon.

  • Starlink’s satellite network enables internet access in regions where other carrier infrastructure may be lacking or non-existent. This helps coverage in rural and remote areas.
  • Starlink can enhance connectivity in urban areas by providing an additional layer of internet service, especially in places with high user density.
  • In locations where existing carriers provide service, Starlink can serve as a backup option, providing additional internet access during outages or network congestion.
  • High-speed internet from Starlink can integrate with wireless services to offer seamless connectivity. Users may switch between satellite and existing carrier networks based on availability and performance.

Starlink is now in Beta testing until July 2025. Here’s a great video on the Starlink basics from Mobile Internet Resource Center:

Updated Pricing

The pricing from Starlink looks like this:

  • Free for all users in Starlink Beta testing until July 2025.
  • The beta is free for all. When T-Satellite launches in July, it will be included with the Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans. For a limited time, when consumer users sign up for Experience More, they will get free satellite service through the end of the year
  • For other Consumer Users on T-Mobile, they will start billing in July 2025 at $10 per device per month (limited time) will likely increase to $15 per month. Some eligible plans will include Starlink in the T-Mobile Plan.
  • All other Consumer users, including Verizon and AT&T customers, can get it for a limited time for $10/mo. (savings of $5/mo)
  • Corporate users on other carriers (AT&T, Verizon) will start billing in July 2025. Pricing was published at $10-$20 per user per month but remains TBD .
  • Currently, Starlink is only available for text messages. Voice and data to follow at a later date (discussed above in the video).

Next Steps

We have been talking with our customers about Starlink and will continue to get information from users on Beta testing. Please let us know how we can help assist.

You can sign up for the T-Mobile Starlink beta here: https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/satellite-phone-service:

And we are….still Protecting Your Wireless Rights, especially for Mike today……

“Deadline Alert Today! Accept Apple Business Manager Terms or Lose Access After April 14!”

Apple Business Manager (ABM) Terms Update: What You Need to Know

Apple announced updates to the terms and conditions for its Business Manager platform. This will impact how administrators manage and deploy devices and apps.

Key Changes

  1. Acceptance Required: Administrators must log in to Apple Business Manager and accept the new terms and conditions before they can enroll new devices or deploy new apps. This acceptance is required to maintain ABM functionality.
  2. Impact on Device Enrollment: Failure to accept the updated terms may result in the inability to auto enroll new devices.
  3. Pop-Up Notification: The updated terms will appear as a pop-up notification when administrators first log in to ABM. If skipped, administrators will need to log out and back in to see the prompt again.

Steps to Accept the New Terms

  1. Log In: Administrators should log in to Apple Business Manager as soon as possible on April 14 to review and accept the new terms.
  2. Follow Prompts: Look for the pop-up notification and follow the prompts to accept the updated terms.
  3. Verify Acceptance: After accepting the terms, it may take some time for the changes to be fully processed. Administrators should verify that the acceptance has been confirmed to avoid any disruptions.

Why?

By accepting the new terms, administrators ensure that their organization remains compliant with Apple’s policies and can continue to leverage the full capabilities of Apple Business Manager.

We are……Still Protecting Your Wireless Rights……………………..

Cost Avoidance versus Cost Savings: An Apples to Apples Comparison

We have had so many discussions regarding COST AVOIDANCE vs COST SAVINGS that we decided to write a blog about it to clarify the concepts.

First, we’ll look at Cost Savings definition, then Cost Avoidance definition and then a comparison of the two concepts. We’ll use the graphic below to illustrate, and we’ll deal in apples because that analogy seems to work (apple examples also helps when using our comparisons, that is, apples to apples – the old fashioned kind). [Read more…] about Cost Avoidance versus Cost Savings: An Apples to Apples Comparison

Want to Know Where Users are using their 100 GB of Data? Here’s How to see Data Usage on an iPhone.

Apple iPhone: View how much data you’re using 

To see how much cellular data you’ve used, go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data. If you’re using an iPad, you might see Settings > Cellular Data instead. 

  • Scroll down to find which apps are using cellular data. If you don’t want an app to use cellular data, you can turn it off for that app. When cellular data is off, apps will use only Wi-Fi for data. 
  • To see the cellular data usage for individual System Services, go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data. Then tap System Services, in the list under Cellular Data. Cellular data can’t be turned on or off for individual System Services. 
  • You can view the data-usage statistics for an app from a current period, or view app data statistics for apps that use data when you were roaming. To reset these statistics, go to Settings > Cellular or Settings > Mobile Data, and tap Reset Statistics. 
  • When you’re using an iPhone with Dual SIM, you can see how much cellular data you’ve used with your selected cellular data number. 

Hope this helps your management of corporate devices!

And we are ……..Still protecting your Wireless Rights: Right Plan. Right Price. Right Result. Especially for Linda today

Happy Valentine’s Day! Verizon is showing you some Love Again. You’re Welcome.

Verizon is at it raising rates — Again…….

For the fifth time in a year and a half, Verizon wireless customers are seeing price increases. Please keep in mind, Verizon does state they do not increase rate plans themselves and technically, this is correct.

THIS time the details are:

  • The price of select plans will be increasing effective January 6 2025
  • This time, ALL Smartphones will increase by another $1.55/month per line from $1.95 to $3.50
  • This will show on the bill as “Administrative Fee” Increase.
  • This means that some business customers are seeing as much as a $12 hike per device in pricing in the last year and a half. On a $45 plan, this is about a 20% hike in pricing even though base plans remain marketed at a stable $45 but you are now paying $57 per device

Here’s the Increase Justification

Verizon claims the increases are to help defray and recover certain direct 
and indirect costs we or our agents incur, including: (a) costs of 
complying with regulatory and industry obligations and 
programs, such as E911, wireless local number portability, and 
wireless tower mandate costs; (b) property taxes; and (c) costs 
associated with our network, including facilities (e.g. leases), 
operations, maintenance and protection, and costs paid to other 
companies for network services.

Aka: they want more money. You’re welcome

Here’s what you can do about it:

  • We always say, “why cant you just pay your bill?” Well you can. And if you are into spending unnecessary money or not achieving budget goals, you can do just that, pay it.
  • Become a Bill Police partner: because many of our customers are on custom negotiated plans or have upgraded from these older plans, many of our customers are not realizing this price increase. Being a Bill Police partner will automatically check the below options.
  • Shop Around: Consider exploring alternative carriers and their current plan offerings. You might find a better deal elsewhere.
  • Manage your data: if you don’t use a lot of data, consider switching to a plan with a smaller data allowance.
  • Determine your real needs vs promotions Verizon has automatically added to your profiles (we’re looking at you, Verizon Cloud!)
  • Renegotiate: Call Verizon and see if they’ll offer you a better deal on a newer plan. You have bargaining power, use it!

Remember, you have do have choices. Don’t feel obligated to simply accept Verizon’s price hike. By actively assessing your needs and exploring the options available, you can optimize your plan to better fit your usage.

Please let us know how we can help.

Bill Police: Still protecting your Wireless Rights: Right Plan. Right Price. Right Result.

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