The emergency satellite connectivity has ferried 96,000 text messages to residents in fire-stricken areas of Los Angeles since T-Mobile activated the cellular Starlink access.

T-Mobile is turning on a test version of its Direct to Cell service in L.A. to allow those impacted by the wildfires to text emergency services.

Several users who signed up for the T-Mobile satellite messaging service beta have reported that the feature has been activated on their devices. The carrier opened registration for a direct-to-cell satellite service beta test with Starlink in December.

For now, T-Mobile restricts the beta for SpaceX's direct-to-cell Starlink system to Samsung S24 phones and two Galaxy foldable models.