In a significant development in the realm of telecommunications, SpaceX’s satellite-to-cell service, Starlink, has achieved a nationwide coverage milestone in New Zealand. This achievement is all the more remarkable given that it comes with some limitations. One NZ, a local telecommunications company, has proudly announced that they are the first global operator to power a nationwide satellite text messaging service via Starlink.
Global Partnerships and Expansion
The success of Starlink’s satellite-to-cell service in New Zealand is just one part of a broader expansion plan for the company. In addition to One NZ, Starlink has also partnered with telecommunications companies in other countries, including Canada, Australia, Japan, Peru, Switzerland, and Chile. The US partnership with T-Mobile is another significant development, as it paves the way for wider adoption and testing of the service.
Supported Devices and Eligibility
While the initial rollout of Starlink’s satellite-to-cell service in New Zealand supports only a limited range of devices, the company has announced plans to expand eligibility to more devices next year. The current supported devices include:
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: A high-end smartphone with a flexible display that can be folded.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: Another premium device from Samsung, known for its foldable design and large screen size.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A flagship smartphone from Samsung, equipped with advanced features like a long-lasting battery and high-resolution camera.
- OPPO Find X8 Pro: A high-end smartphone from OPPO, featuring a powerful processor, long-lasting battery, and advanced camera capabilities.
Text Messaging Service Details
During the initial rollout, One NZ expects that most text messages can be sent and received within three minutes. However, this may increase to 10 minutes or longer during the first few months as the service continues to develop. According to One NZ’s Experience and Commercial Director, Joe Goddard:
"We continue to test the capabilities of One NZ Satellite TXT, and this is an initial service that will get better. For example, text messages will take longer to send but will get quicker over time."
Future Plans and Expansion
While the current focus is on providing satellite-to-cell coverage for text messaging, One NZ has announced plans to expand the service in the future to include voice calling and data capabilities.
"We’re beginning with a small number of phones as part of the staggered rollout of the technology. And critically, from today customers can send and receive text messages only, but in the future, we expect voice calling and data to also be available," said Joe Goddard.
Pricing and Accessibility
One NZ has not revealed whether new customers or those on other contracts will be required to pay an additional fee to access satellite-to-cell coverage. However, existing customers on paid-monthly plans will enjoy the service for free.
Previous Pilots and Beta Program
The Starlink text-by-satellite service was previously piloted with T-Mobile customers in areas affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in October. Following this successful pilot, T-Mobile was granted FCC approval for the service in November. As a result, the company is now signing up customers to test the US Starlink beta program early next year.
The success of Starlink’s satellite-to-cell service in New Zealand marks an important milestone in the development of telecommunications technology. With its global partnerships and expansion plans, the service has the potential to bring reliable connectivity to remote areas and underserved communities worldwide.
