SpaceX’s satellite-to-cell Starlink service has hit a nationwide protection milestone in New Zealand — albeit with just a few limitations. One NZ says it’s the primary telecommunications firm globally to energy a nationwide satellite tv for pc textual content messaging service by way of Starlink. Starlink has additionally signed up companions in Canada, Australia, Japan, Peru, Switzerland, and Chile, partnering with T-Cellular within the US.
Solely 4 telephone fashions are at the moment supported: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely, and OPPO Discover X8 Professional. Eligibility is anticipated to increase to extra units subsequent yr. Most textual content messages might be despatched and acquired inside three minutes through the preliminary rollout, in accordance One NZ, although that will improve to “10 minutes or longer” through the first few months.
“We proceed to check the capabilities of One NZ Satellite tv for pc TXT, and that is an preliminary service that can get higher. For instance, textual content messages will take longer to ship however will get faster over time,” One NZ’s Expertise and Business Director Joe Goddard mentioned. “We’re starting with a small variety of telephones as a part of the staggered rollout of the know-how. And critically, from in the present day prospects can ship and obtain textual content messages solely, however sooner or later, we anticipate voice calling and knowledge to even be obtainable.”
The One NZ Satellite tv for pc TXT service might be free for present prospects on paid-monthly plans. One NZ hasn’t revealed if new prospects or these on different contracts might be required to pay an extra price to entry satellite-to-cell protection.
