I'm another unsatisfied T-Mobile customer (Piedmont). The only reason I keep it is because my wife's phone is locked to the T-Mobile network (got a good deal on it). I'm probably the last person in TV who has a land line, although it's not a real one like "back in the day," when you could lose electrical power to your house and your land line still worked.

This is the service from the newly launched Starlink direct to ground cell phone link capable satellites that the OP is referring to in post #1. Not all Starlink satellites have this capability. Your compatible phone (wth the new update mentioned) will default to this feature if no other connection is found (cell, wifi) and is not just for emergencies (as I understand it, but limit your use when there is a disaster). Your older cell phone does not have the hardware modem or software to do Starlink or other satellite comms. Refer to your provider and phone manual. Your phone cannot directly connect to a satellite otherwise. The service is text only and works best as direct line-of-sight to the satellites.

All the other references are to older technologies that exist and need their own hardware/software but have various levels of service. There are many other ways to link and communicate these days.

A cell phone without those features requires a cell tower (or a WiFi connection - this presumes an intact internet service and service plan). The 911 service is available on many older phones as a last default so anyone can call emergency services even though they are not the phone account owner and will use any cell service provider found.

Note that there may be some GPS disruptions, communication difficulties, satellite anomalies, risk to astronauts, and ground effects with unfortunate timing for our areas rescue effort from recent solar activity that interacts with the earth magnetospere and atmosphere:

Spaceweather.com Time Machine

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Impressive CPR feat. Did the patient survive in the long term?

Onstar uses the cellular network.

What is the device you have for law enforcement contact? That sounds interesting. Over the years there have been a few internet network services that local police use as a public service. There is National Night Out. Recently, NISPs are coming online (local broadband networks).

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Auroras occurIng NOW
 

The Solar Storm and 3 CME's reached Earth tonight that I spoke about before. My wife sent me this picture from our south central Pennsylvania home. There is a slim chance of further extension to the southern states.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kx1XD9RDP8n2kabq5

Aurora Photos

I see sightings as far south as Greenville, North Carolina so far.

Spaceweather.com Realtime Image Gallery

The Watcher