Unlocking Connectivity: Telstra Partners with SpaceX to Deliver Starlink’s Revolutionary Satellite-to-Mobile Technology to Customers

Telstra is teaming up with SpaceX’s Starlink to launch Satellite-to-Mobile text messaging for customers in Australia. This service aims to improve coverage, especially for people in rural and remote areas. The first step will involve testing how this messaging works in Australian conditions before a full rollout. Despite having a vast mobile network that reaches 99.7% of the population, Telstra acknowledges that many regions in Australia lack mobile service. This is where satellite technology can step in to help fill those gaps.

Satellite-to-Mobile, also known as Direct to Handset (DTH), can deliver basic services like text messaging from some of the most isolated spots in Australia. It works with modern smartphones, allowing SMS functionalities without the need for traditional networks. Telstra envisions this service being accessible in most outdoor areas across mainland Australia and Tasmania, as long as there’s a clear view of the sky. Over time, the technology may evolve to include voice calls and low-speed data.

This new service is particularly useful for those living in areas where traditional mobile networks can’t reach. As of now, it mainly allows users to send messages, perfect for emergencies or to check in with others when they are out of range from their mobile carrier.

What does this mean for Telstra’s mobile network? The company is dedicated to improving its network to meet the growing demands of customers. This includes expanding 5G coverage to 95% of the population by 2025. In the past seven years, Telstra has invested $11.8 billion to enhance its mobile network. They are also focused on making their infrastructure stronger in areas that frequently face natural disasters, and they plan to incorporate satellite solutions for better coverage in hard-to-reach places.

[Source: Telstra]