One NZ Launches Starlink Satellite TXT, Revolutionizing Remote Communication
One NZ, a New Zealand-based telecommunications provider, has made history by becoming the first to launch Starlink's satellite messaging service, beating the US's T-Mobile to the punch. This innovative offering, called One NZ Satellite TXT, is set to revolutionise communication in remote regions.
The service, launched on December 18, 2024, covers 40% of New Zealand's landmass and up to 20 kilometers offshore where mobile tower coverage is absent. It initially supports text messaging, with voice calling and data services slated for future updates. Delivery times may initially take up to ten minutes but are expected to decrease to approximately one minute with additional satellite deployments.
SpaceX has formed a strategic alliance with MTN in South Africa to offer a nationwide satellite text services platform. This collaboration aims to provide seamless connectivity and enhanced services for maritime and other mobile clients in the region. Meanwhile, Rogers in Canada has signed an agreement with SpaceX for satellite messaging, pending regulatory approval.
The service is available at no additional cost under eligible plans for customers with compatible devices, including Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, Z Fold6, S24 Ultra, and OPPO Find X8 Pro. Joe Goddard, Experience and Commercial Director at One NZ, hailed the service as a 'generational change' in mobile technology, offering enhanced safety and convenience in remote regions. Sir Edmund Hillary's grandson, George Hillary, successfully tested the service from Mount Head, sending a message to his brother at an altitude of 8,480 feet.
By 2025, One NZ anticipates expanding compatibility to hundreds of thousands of devices, increasing accessibility to satellite connectivity. The One NZ Satellite TXT service is poised to transform communication in New Zealand's remote areas, with potential global implications as other providers follow suit.
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