SpaceX’s innovative satellite-to-cell service, Starlink, has achieved a significant milestone in New Zealand by providing nationwide coverage for text messaging. This achievement is a testament to the company’s commitment to bridging the connectivity gap in remote and underserved areas.
A Global First: One NZ Leads the Way
One NZ, a telecommunications company based in New Zealand, has become the first global company to power a nationwide satellite text messaging service via Starlink. This groundbreaking achievement is a result of the company’s partnership with SpaceX, which aims to provide reliable and high-speed connectivity to users worldwide.
Partnerships in Multiple Countries
In addition to its partnership with One NZ, Starlink has also signed agreements with several other companies across the globe. These partners include:
- Canada: A leading telecommunications provider in Canada has partnered with Starlink to offer satellite text messaging services to its customers.
- Australia: An Australian telecommunications company has joined forces with Starlink to provide satellite-based connectivity to its users.
- Japan: A Japanese telecom operator has partnered with Starlink to offer satellite text messaging services to its customers.
- Peru: A Peruvian telecommunications provider has joined forces with Starlink to offer satellite-based connectivity to its users.
- Switzerland: A Swiss telecom operator has partnered with Starlink to provide satellite text messaging services to its customers.
- Chile: A Chilean telecommunications company has joined forces with Starlink to offer satellite-based connectivity to its users.
Starlink’s Growing Presence in the US
In the United States, T-Mobile has partnered with Starlink to offer a beta version of the satellite-to-cell service. The pilot program was successfully tested during the recent hurricanes, and the company is now gearing up for a wider rollout. With FCC approval in November, T-Mobile customers can expect to access the US Starlink beta program early next year.
Current Limitations
While the nationwide coverage milestone is significant, there are still some limitations to be aware of:
- Supported Phone Models: Currently, only four phone models are compatible with the One NZ Satellite TXT service: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and OPPO Find X8 Pro. Eligibility for more devices is expected to expand next year.
- Initial Rollout Performance: During the initial rollout, 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 improve.
Future Plans
According to One NZ’s Experience and Commercial Director Joe Goddard, the company is committed to continuous improvement:
"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."
The One NZ Satellite TXT service will be free for existing customers on paid-monthly plans. However, it remains unclear if new customers or those on other contracts will be required to pay an additional fee to access satellite-to-cell coverage.
Conclusion
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite-to-cell service has achieved a significant milestone in New Zealand by providing nationwide coverage for text messaging. With partnerships across multiple countries and a growing presence in the US, Starlink is poised to revolutionize connectivity worldwide. While there are currently some limitations, One NZ is committed to continuous improvement, ensuring that customers can access reliable and high-speed connectivity in even the most remote areas.
