Satellite texting

[jejb]

I am wondering if an unlocked Fold 7 supports satellite texting on every carrier network, or if it has to the carrier's version of the phone to work? I'm on Verizon, but prefer unlocked phones. However, if it needs to be a carrier version, I may reconsider. I'm often way out of cell tower coverage, so having the satellite support is an important consideration.

 

[SpookDroid]

Satellite compatibility is included in unlocked versions, BUT this is still up to the carrier. T-Mobile does allow unlocked ones (I used it on the S25U), but can't speak for big red.

 

[mlblack16]

I have an unlocked S25U on ATT and I do not have the ability to use satellite texting despite the phone being capable.

 

[mustang7757]

Unlocked s25u TMO has it I'm sure it will continue with the Fold 7

 

[TMavC5]

I am wondering if an unlocked Fold 7 supports satellite texting on every carrier network, or if it has to the carrier's version of the phone to work? I'm on Verizon, but prefer unlocked phones. However, if it needs to be a carrier version, I may reconsider. I'm often way out of cell tower coverage, so having the satellite support is an important consideration.

I have a great experience with TMo Sat texting. The beta trial just expired today 7/22. You can continue but TMO would charge $10 additional per month. A bit pricey for service.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

I have a great experience with TMo Sat texting. The beta trial just expired today 7/22. You can continue but TMO would charge $10 additional per month. A bit pricey for service.

Yeah, something we got baseball bat'd up the rear by T-Mobile. It was promised free at the announcement. I'm not paying them. My guess is the FCC will eventually require it and everyone will get it in an even more limited form free.

Either way after that "female-dog" slap to the face, I'm not paying them no matter how useful it could be. I'll carry my HAM Radio when I go somewhere I know will be slightly spotty.

 

[jejb]

Satellite compatibility is included in unlocked versions, BUT this is still up to the carrier. T-Mobile does allow unlocked ones (I used it on the S25U), but can't speak for big red.

Thanks. I called Verizon about this, twice. The first rep didn't know crap and could not understand what I was asking. But eventually got word it will work. Didn't trust that one, so just called again. This rep was much better and assured me it would work. Still not 100% certain, but I feel better about it.

Now I just have to reason through not having an S-Pen. I've had one since the early Note days, and I use it still on my Fold 6, although not a lot

Sorry to hear carriers are starting to charge for it, but it does not surprise me.

 

[SpookDroid]

With the way the Fold wobbles on tables (the videos I've seen are seasickness-inducing) and how thin the hinges are if you were to push on the screen to write while in 'tablet' mode and holding the phone in the air...I'm kinda glad they stripped the S-Pen from this.

While I love having the SPen in the S25, I must admit it's seldom used. On my tablet, however, that's a must for me. Even when I have tried to take notes on the phone my handwriting just feels too wonky since the phone form factor is just not great for note taking, compared to a 'notebook-like' tablet.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Thanks. I called Verizon about this, twice. The first rep didn't know crap and could not understand what I was asking. But eventually got word it will work. Didn't trust that one, so just called again. This rep was much better and assured me it would work. Still not 100% certain, but I feel better about it.

Now I just have to reason through not having an S-Pen. I've had one since the early Note days, and I use it still on my Fold 6, although not a lot

Sorry to hear carriers are starting to charge for it, but it does not surprise me.

Call Verizon a third time, you will get a third different answer.

 

[buzzy3970]

Call Verizon a third time, you will get a third different answer.

Yep that's their motto. Well that and stripping any features on their carrier locked Galaxy devices

 

[TMavC5]

Yeah, something we got baseball bat'd up the rear by T-Mobile. It was promised free at the announcement. I'm not paying them. My guess is the FCC will eventually require it and everyone will get it in an even more limited form free.

Either way after that "female-dog" slap to the face, I'm not paying them no matter how useful it could be. I'll carry my HAM Radio when I go somewhere I know will be slightly spotty.

Yeah, it was nice to have, but I rarely use it. For someone who more outdoors doing camping is definitely useful feature to have.

What's cool about it, it alerts you that you're now on Satelite when you do not have cellular coverage. This happened several time during my traveling in and out of the mountains, the RCS feature also nice during Satelite mode.

 

[jejb]

For someone who more outdoors doing camping is definitely useful feature to have.

Yeah, that's me. I spend a LOT of time out working and riding trails here in the Ozark Mts. It's not unusual at all to be well outside the range of a tower. I know others, like Garmin and Spot, have options also. But it would sure be nice to have it working on my phone.

 

[mclarryjr]

It would be extremely helpful for camping and backpacking however I always carry my Garmin InReach to be able to get weather forecast while on longer trips.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Yeah, it was nice to have, but I rarely use it. For someone who more outdoors doing camping is definitely useful feature to have.

What's cool about it, it alerts you that you're now on Satelite when you do not have cellular coverage. This happened several time during my traveling in and out of the mountains, the RCS feature also nice during Satelite mode.

Useful but IMO they were doing it more as a "Hey! Don't forget you have satellite messaging and we want your money".

I'm sure it could have been implemented better and I could throw out ideas but they aren't paying me to do so, they are trying to charge me instead (while having the nerve to send a survey).

Nevertheless. It is and will be useful for certain people but as it stands will be more of on demand add-on like their international pass.

 

[Hghlndr]

As far as I'm aware, Tmo's satellite texting is available on all the major carriers for a $10 fee extra added per month.

Of course, Verizon: there're using SkyLo for emergency connection with SELECT android phones, and maybe not available on older grandfathered plans. Ah, VZ!
Whether TMo is available at this writing on VZ, doesn't seem so...